Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

City High

Coach: Mike Moore (5th season)

Last season: 18th at 4A state meet with 17 points

Key returners: Daniel Brown, Sr.; Max DePrenger, Sr.; Ry Threlkeld-Wiegand, Sr.; Malik Kimber, Sr.; Tevon Williamson, Jr.; Oisin Leopold, Jr.; Tahj Williamson, Sr.; Caden Turnbough, Jr.; Owen Jones, Sr.; Maisha Sila, Jr.; Riley Moore, Sr.; Charlie Maxwell, Sr.; Doug Burtch, Sr.; Olivier Shabani, Sr.; Thomas McMillan, Jr. Davryn Stewart, Jr.; Matt Taylor, Jr.; Ryan Carter, Jr.; Noah Kabat, Jr.; Levi Sherod, Jr.; John Aschenbrenner, Soph.; Raph Hamilton, Soph., Sila Lulinda, Soph.; Andre Miller, Soph., Soren Ostby, Soph. Blessing Pongo, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Kaleba Jack, Jr.; Matt Rew, Jr.; Samba Traore, Sr.; Dino Houssou, Jr.; Griffen Vogelgesang, Jr.; Mitchell Wilkes, Jr.; DaRhon Fouch, Jr.; Josh Fletcher, Sr.; Simeon Smith, Sr.; Noah Weaver, Jr.; Yasar Hassan, Sr.; Josiah Fischer, Soph.; Javon Harris, Fr.; Carter Seaton, Fr.

Headliner: Senior Daniel Brown was a part of a pair of the best relay performances in school history last season helping City High to a state title in the 4×800 and a fourth-place finish in the 4×400. Brown ran a 1:57.54 split on the state title 4×800 squad and helped City High clock a 3:17.48 in the 4×400 the second fastest time in program history.

Keep an eye on: Senior Max DePrenger came on strong late last season while helping City High clock the eighth fastest 4×400 in state history at the 4A state meet. DePrenger expects to take on a bigger role in relays and open events this season.

Circle the date: April 18 Forwald/Coleman Relays. City High hosts its home invite that annual ranks as one of the top invites in the state and serves as a final chance to qualifier for the Drake Relays.

Outlook: City High will attempt to carry over the momentum from a strong state meet last spring to this season.

The Little Hawks must replace three seniors from its state-winning 4×800 team and two from its 4×400 squad but head coach Mike Moore likes the group of athletes that return this season headlined by Brown and DePrenger.

Participation numbers are up for City High this season as the Little Hawks bring back 26 returning letterwinners.

Seniors Ry Threleld-Wiegand, Malik Kimber, Tahj Williamson and Owen Jones all return with state meet experience along with juniors Tevon Williamson, Oisin Leopold, Caden Turnbough and Maisha Sila.

West High

Coach: T.J. Craig (4th season)

Assistant coaches: Josh Kidman, Tyler Meade, Joe Appah, Ty Haren, Stephen Breitbach, Mar’yea Harris, Bri Lantrip, James Harrington,

Last season: Runner-up at 4A state meet with 57 points

Key returners: Grahm Goering, Soph.; Fabian Brown, Soph.; Jason Lu, Soph.; Will Conrad, Sr.; Yousif Salama, Sr.; Osman Salama, Sr.; Tyuss Bell, Soph.; Ryan Gudenkauf, Sr.; Devlin Lockman, Sr.; Ken Wilbur, Jr.; Kolby Greiner, Sr.; Gabe Caruthers, Sr.; Cole Mabry, Sr.; Landon Green, Sr.

Headliner: Senior Landon Green returns to put the finishing touches on what has been an impressive three-sport athletic career at West High. Green won the 4A shot put title last season with a school-record toss of 58-5.

Keep an eye on: Another senior looking to cap an incredible career, distance ace Kolby Greiner will attempt to improve on a pair of eighth-place state meet finishes from a year ago. Greiner was eighth in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at the 4A state meet last season.

Circle the date: April 6 Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival. West High will host the inaugural event that expects to attract some of the top talent in the state on a qualification basis.

Outlook: West High just missed a state title last season finishing runner-up in Class 4A in a team race that came down to the final event.

The Trojans lost multi-event state champion Austin West to graduation but bring back a talented roster filled with state meet experience and welcome a group of newcomers eager to make an impact.

Seniors Landon Green, Kolby Greiner and Gabe Caruthers headline a group that has helped West High return to its status as one of the top programs in 4A.

Senior Cole Mabry is a multi-year state qualifier and joins Will Conrad, Yousif Salama, Osman Salama, Ryan Gudenkauf, and Devlin Lockman as seniors that return with years of varsity experience.

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Ben Robison (4th season)

Assistant coaches: Gabe Bakker, Jackson Litterer, Karl Vogel, Trevor Bollers

Last season: 8th at WAMAC East Divisional meet; 27th at 3A state meet with 7 points

Key returners: Trever Stockman, Sr.; Kaden McAreavy, Sr.; Quentin Gisleson, Sr.; Jack Sexton, Jr.; Nick O’Connor, Jr.; Andrew Swails, Jr.; Nick Gerard, Jr.; Alex Figueroa, Soph.; Brandon Barker, Soph.; Harrison Cory, Soph.;

Newcomers to watch: Gage Freeman, Fr.; Ethan Pegump, Fr.; Ben Swails, Fr.; Gavin Zillyette, Fr.

Headliner: Junior Nick Gerard announced himself as a state title contender last season when he placed fifth in the long jump at the 3A state meet. Gerard was the top non-senior finisher in the 3A long jump with a mark of 21-3 ¾.

Keep an eye on: Junior Nick O’Connor (1,600) and sophomore Brandon Barker (3,200) were both state qualifiers last season as underclassmen and return to lead a Clipper distance crew that should be among the best in Class 3A.

Circle the date: April 4 Clear Creek Amana Invitational. The Clippers welcome a strong field that includes five 4A programs and four WAMAC rivals to its home invite.

Outlook: Clear Creek Amana took major strides last spring with 11 state qualifiers in nine different events that earned two state medals and seven points at the 3A state meet.

The Clippers made an even bigger breakthrough in the fall with a runner-up finish at the 3A cross country meet and will attempt to continue that success on the track this spring.

Along with Barker, Gerard and O’Connor seniors Trever Stockman, Kaden McAreavy and Quentin Gisleson all return with state meet experience along with juniors Jack Sexton and Andrew Swails and sophomore sprinters Harrison Cory and Alex Figueroa.

Expect the distance crew to lead the way for Clear Creek Amana which has the depth to put together a strong group of relays across the lineup.

Solon

Coach: Mark Sovers (23rd season)  

Assistant coaches: Brad Wymer, Denny Gruber, Riley Takes, Emy Williams

Last season: Second at WAMAC East Divisional Meet; 11th at 3A State Meet with 27 points

Key returners: Adam Bock, Sr.; Coal Flansburg, Sr.; Rocky Lensing, Sr.; Jackson Pipolo, Sr.; Thomas Brandt, Jr.; AJ Coons, Jr.; Jack Bell, Jr.; Ryan Geistkemper, Sr.; Dillon Hoit, Sr.; Mason Stahle, Sr.; Seamus Poynton, Jr.; Colyon Hoffman, Soph.; Eddie Richey, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Jace Andregg, Jr.; Aidan Dall, Sr.; Brady Jeworrek, Soph.

Headliner: An Iowa State football recruit, Coal Flansburg is already a two-time state medalist earning a shot put medal as a sophomore and finishing fourth in the discus last season.

Keep an eye on: Another future Division I football player senior Adam Bock returns to the track lineup with state meet experience after running on the Spartans’ state qualifying 4×100, 4×200 and sprint medley relay teams last season.

Circle the date: April 16 Denny Gruber Relays. Solon will look to improve on its third-place team finish from last season at its always strong home invitational.

Outlook: The Spartans bring back a strong group of returners and mix in some capable newcomers to a squad that was second at the WAMAC East Divisional a year ago.

Bock and Flansburg headline the list of returners and senior Jackson Pipolo also has state meet experience after running on the 4×200 relay team a year ago.

Seniors Rocky Lensing, Ryan Geistkemper, Mason Stahle and Dillon Hoit will look to take on bigger roles this season while juniors Thomas Brandt, AJ Coons, Jack Bell, Seamus Poynton expect to provide a boost.

Regina

Coach: Liam Hartley (1st season)

Assistant coaches: Dan Rolling, Ryan Bell, Chad Swope, Katy Kambhu

Last season: Eighth at River Valley Conference Meet

Key returners: Neal Eckhoff, Sr.; Jack Goedken, Soph.; Luke Stein, Sr.; Theo Kolie, Soph.; Nick Wagner, Soph.

Newcomers to watch: Ethan Boileau, Jr.; Anthony Kimani, Fr.; Josh Gaffey, Fr.; Caden Shetler, Fr.

Headliner: A Drake Relays qualifier last season and a two-time state qualifier senior Luke Stein is seeking a strong finish to his career after placing fifth in the 2A shot put last season.  

Keep an eye on: Sophomore sprinters Theo Kolie and Jack Goedken were both part of the Regals’ distance medley squad that placed 13th at the state meet.

Circle the date: March 30 Bob Brown Invitational. The only home meet of the season for Regina is the second scheduled outdoor meet of the year for the Regals.

Outlook: Regina will have a new coach for the second time in three seasons as Liam Hartley takes over for Chris Murdock leading the program.

It’s not as if the Regals will be adjusting to a brand new coaching staff. Hartley led the Regina cross country program in the fall and long-time head coach Chad Swope is returning as an assistant this season.

The Regals return five letterwinners led by Stein who has qualified for the state meet each of the pats two seasons.

Senior Neal Eckhoff joins sophomores Nick Wagner, Goedken and Kolie to give Regina a strong sprinting corps.

West Branch

Coach: Taylor Larson (5th season)   

Assistant coaches: Brad Wargo, Jim Cottingham, Dan Zuniga

Last season: 12th at River Valley Conference Meet

Key returners: Atlas Kolpin, Sr.; Tanner Lukavsky, Jr.; Dalyn Pedersen, Jr.; Joe Seydel, Soph.; Keegan Sotelo, Sr.; Zach Thompson, Sr.; Barrett Walsh, Jr.; Jonathan Wargo, Jr.; John Yates, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Drake Berry, Fr.; Quinn Hayden, Fr.; Lonnie Smith, Soph.; Cash Woody, Fr.

Headliner: Zach Thompson is primed for a breakthrough season after competing at the state meet each of the past two years. Thompson helped the Bears’ 4×400 relay team to a 12th place finish last season.

Keep an eye on: Junior John Yates and senior Atlas Kolpin both return with state meet experience after competing in the 4×800 relay team at the 2017 state meet.

Circle the date: May 2 at River Valley Conference Meet at Camanche. West Branch will attempt to improve on last year’s 12th place RVC finish.

Outlook: With nine returning letterwinners, including eight upperclassmen returning the Bears have all the pieces in place to take a big step forward this season after placing 12th at the RVC meet last season.

Thompson, Kolpin and Yates all returning with state meet experience while juniors Jonathan Wargo, Barrett Walsh, Dalyn Pedersen and Tanner Lukavsky are all poised for breakthrough seasons along with senior Keegan Sotelo.

Head coach Taylor Larson also expects big things from sophomore Joe Seydel in the distance events.

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