Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Another day another ‘Region’ in the Your Prep Sports Best Moments Bracket is revealed.

After releasing the Winter and Fall sports ‘Regions’ earlier this week today the top 16 moments from the Your Prep Sports area in spring sports are unveiled.

With the unveiling of the Spring Sports Region readers now have a look at three of the four Regions.

The final Summer Sports Region will be released on Friday and the voting process to determine the top moment in Your Prep Sports history according to readers will start this weekend.

Enjoy.

Solon 4×400 Seniors Get Fitting Sendoff (May 19, 2019)

The final prep race for a trio of Solon seniors resulted in a state title that turned into a fitting sendoff.

After a pair of runner-up finishes the senior-led Solon 4×400 relay team won the Class 3A state title in a school-record time of 3:54.99.

Seniors Erin Kerkhoff, Abby Smith and Taylor Ryan were all members of the Solon 4×400 squads that broke the school record while finishing runner-up to Decorah in the event in both 2017 and 2018.

In their final prep race those seniors teamed with freshman Emma Bock to secure Spartans first relay title since 2013 and break the previous 4×400 school record by more than three seconds.

“This is the only way I wanted it to go,” Kerkhoff said fighting through tears. “I honestly never wanted this season to end but since it had to end this was the only way I could see it ending. It’s perfect.”

Regina Boys Win Third Straight state soccer title (June 4, 2019)

Over the past decade Regina has become synonymous with soccer success.

The Regals added to its history of excellence and capped a string of unprecedented soccer domination winning its third consecutive Class 1A state title with a 1-0 win over top-ranked Waterloo Columbus.

Jonah Warren scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute when he followed up his own penalty kick miss as Regina won its eighth state title in the past 11 seasons.

With the win Regina joined West High and Cedar Rapids Xavier as the only teams in state history to win three consecutive state titles and become the only team to accomplish the feat twice.

Regina defeated Davenport Assumption 1-0 in the 2017 title game and downed Des Moines Christian 2-1 for the 2018 championship.

The win improved Regina to 8-0 all-time in title matches and gave Regina the second most state championships of any team in state history trailing only the nine won by West High.

“I’m most proud of these guys growing up, growing up was a lot harder for these guys than some other classes and growing up is a lot harder than playing soccer,” Regina coach Rick Larew said. “I am very proud of these guys.”

West High Girls Win State Tennis Title (June 2, 2018)

One of the most memorable days in West High tennis history came complete with a truly unforgettable ending.

Doubles partners Jessica Moonjely and Vivian Mitchell won an incredible six-minute, 152-shot rally on match point to cap a state title-clinching 7-5, 3-6 (10-7) win over the Ames tandem of Caitlyn Hanulikova and Chloe Wilson leading West High to a 5-4 win over the Little Cyclones in the 2A championship.

“As I was playing out there I felt like I was running out of all the energy I had but I knew I had to keep going,” Mitchell said. “This is the best tennis moment ever.”

The final point was a fitting end to an exhausting day for West High that started with a 5-2 semifinal win over West Des Moines Dowling and lasted nearly 10 hours.

Five of the nine matches against Ames needed a third-set super tiebreaker to determine a winner including both the singles matches for Mitchell and Moonjely.

The two teams split the six singles matches with Moonjely and Meg Moreland each winning third set tiebreaks to pull West High even at 3-3 heading to doubles play.

“I’m just really proud of my team overcoming the pressure and the nerves with what was at stake and coming through when it counted,” West High coach Amie Villarini said. “Jessica was down 0-5 and 1-6 in her 10-point tiebreaker and came back and won it 10-7. I thought we were done in that one and she fought back and won it.”

Brinkman and Wirfs Duel in Drake Relays Shot Put For the Ages (April 28, 2017)

At a meet that brings together the elite track and field talent in the state a couple of future football players put on a shot put show for the ages.

Mount Vernon senior Tristin Wirfs and Regina’s Jared Brinkman went back and forth in the shot put ring inside Drake Stadium with Wirfs eventually edging Brinkman for the Drake Relays title for the second straight season.

Brinkman posted the furthest toss ever for a Drake Relays runner-up with a career-best mark of 65-2 ½ that was good for fifth all-time.

However, it wasn’t enough to unseat Wirfs who became the 12th back-to-back shot put champ in Drake Relays history with the second-best throw in state history at 66-3 ½.

It was the first time in Drake Relays history that four prep throwers record a mark better than 60-feet.

“You can’t be a disappointed with a two-foot pr and doing it here at Drake is just awesome,” Brinkman said. “I knew I had a good lead but I knew Tristan could pop one and that’s what he did.”

Brinkman went on to win the Class 2A state title with a 2A meet record mark of 63-4.

West Branch Finishes Runner-up in Rain-shortened State Golf Meet (May 24, 2019)

After finishing eighth in its first appearance at the state golf meet in more than a decade in 2018 West Branch returned to the Class 2A state meet a year later with elevated expectations.

The Bears came just shy of meeting the highest of their goals finishing runner-up to Des Moines Christian by four strokes in a meet that was shortened to one day by rain.

Freshman Dylan Countryman earned runner-up medalist honors by firing a three over par 72 as West Branch finished with a one-day score of 308.

It was the first time since 200 that weather shortened a spring state golf meet and the first time since 1991 that multiple state sites were unable to finish the two-day championship.

“The kids should be very proud of the fact that they made it to state,” coach Randy Sexton said. “I just wish we would have had a chance today to play, because I think we really could have had something more for Des Moines Christian today. In the end, last year we were satisfied to be at state, this year we made a statement. We put ourselves back on the map as West Branch – someone they’re going to have to deal with.”

Keeney Makes Historic Drake Debut (April 25, 2019)

Liberty High freshman distance standout Ashlyn Keeney switched up her strategy in her first ever race at Drake Stadium and the results was a historic debut at the prestigious Drake Relays.

A historically fast starter, Keeney instead hung back toward the pack before sprinting away from the field over the final 800 meters to win the 3,000 in a time of 9:39.64.

The time for Keeney was the fourth fastest in state history, the best ever by a freshman in Iowa and the eighth fastest in the country ever for a freshman.

“When I was younger I’d stay back a little but recently, especially during cross country, I just try to get out and I kind of run scared,” Keeney said. “My coaches told me they thought I should try not doing that and I’m glad they did because I liked running it that way.”

Jung Wins Third Straight Title (May 27, 2017)

In order to make state history Jiung Jung had to defeat one of his best friends.

For the second straight season Jung did just that, becoming the fourth three-time state singles champion in state history with a 6-0, 7-6 win over City High’s Joe Hoff.

It was the second straight season Jung defeated his close friend in an all-Iowa City Class 2A singles title and gave West High a sweep of the state titles for the first time ever after teammates Cole Schneider and Jack Wenzel teamed up to win the doubles title.

Jung become the first three-time champion since Charlie Caris of Des Moines Roosevelt won his third title in 2009 and joins Tyler Cleveland (Maharishi) and Art Andrews (City High) as players with three singles titles.

During his three-year run atop the 2A singles bracket Jung compiled a 71-1 record that included a stretch of 60 consecutive wins.

“Honestly more than the whole becoming the fourth person with three titles thing it was just really special to be out here with Cole and Jack and with Joe and all my good friends growing up and competing at a high level,” Jung said. “That was really special me.”

West High Tennis Triple Crown (May 30, 2017)

Already among of the top dynasties in state history in any sport the West High tennis team added a another impressive feat to its list of accomplishments when the Trojans became the ninth team to win the state singles, doubles and team titles in the same season.

Top-ranked West High completed the season triple crown with a 5-1 win over third-ranked Linn-Mar in the Class 2A state title match.

It was the second consecutive 2A team title and fifth in the past six seasons for West High which became just the third 2A team in state history to win the season triple crown and the first since Des Moines Roosevelt in 2009.

“The triple crown is fun but we never made that a goal,” West High coach Mitch Gross said. “I did share in the huddle that we just did something that probably it will be a long time if it ever happens again and I really want them to embrace and remember this moment.”

West High Soccer Wins as an 8 Seed (June 3, 2017)

West High arrived at the 2017 state soccer tournament with a state-record eight state titles to its credit.

Few people, even those within the program, envisioned No. 13 West High adding a ninth title.

The eighth-seeded Trojans pulled off the seemingly impossible with three consecutive wins over top-five teams in a span of three days capped by a 1-0 win over defending state champion West Des Moines Valley in the Class 3A title match.

“I bought a ticket for my daughter’s dance recital tonight,” West High coach Brad Stiles said. “I’m beside myself right now. For these guys to pull together like they did. I’m so happy for them.”

West High defeated top-ranked and unbeaten Cedar Rapids Prairie in a shootout in the quarterfinals and downed No. 5 Bettendorf 4-1 in the semifinals before its 1-0 win in the championship match.

Nick Raley headed in an Alex Andersen cross in the 57th minute to provide all the scoring in the title match as West High won its ninth state title and first since 2014.

City High Wins 4×800 (May 17, 2018)

The goal for athlete is to be peaking at the end of the season.

Few have done a better job of that than the City High 4×800 relay team of JP Rethwisch, Jimmy Momberg, Lucas Firmstone and Daniel Brown.

The City High foursome cut more than 16 seconds off its season-best time in its final two races of the season capping an impressive late-season surge by winning the Class 4A state title.

After cutting more than 10 seconds off its previous best time at the district meet, City High took another five seconds off its top time, winning the seventh 4×800 state title in school history with the second-best time ever by a City High squad at 7:49.41.

All four City High runners clocked splits faster than 1:57.9 highlighted by senior anchor Rethwisch who logged a 1:55.9 split to secure the win by more than two seconds over runner-up Johnston.

“When I was lining up to get the baton and I saw we were way out in front it was one of the scariest moments of my life,” Rethwisch said. “I was just shaking waiting to get it and when I got it I just ran with everything I had.”

Welch Leads West High to Runner-up Finish (May 20, 2017)

One of the best to ever wear a West High uniform, Valerie Welch capped a brilliant prep career with one of the best state meet performances in school history.

Welch earned three state titles, including individual crowns in the 100 hurdles and long jump, while helping West High to a runner-up finish in the Class 4A team standings.

Welch was a member of West High’s winning distance medley relay team and added a third-place finish in the 400 hurdles as West High rolled up 89 points while finishing runner-up to two-time champion Waukee, the most points and best team finish for the Women of Troy since 2010.

The strong state meet was a fitting end to a brilliant career for Welch who closed her career with 14 state medals, three state titles and five school records.

Welch left West High as the school record holder in the long jump, 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles and was a member of the school-record holding shuttle hurdle and distance medley relay teams.

“Honestly it was the best I could have hoped for,” Welch said. “After all the work I have put in the last four years to get three straight state championships and third place in the 400 hurdles out of the 2nd heat, it’s awesome.”

Schaeckenbach Wins 400 Hurdles in Coleman’s Final State Meet (May 17, 2019)

The first state track title for Caroline Schaeckenbach was the final gold medal won for a City High athlete under the guidance of hall of fame coach Terry Coleman.

Schaeckenbach became the first City High athlete to claim state gold since Sarah Plock in 2015 when she won the Class 4A 400 hurdles in a career-best time of 1:03.37.

Schaeckenbach joined two-time state champions Plock and Teesa Price as the only City High athletes to win the 400 hurdles.

The title by Schaeckenbach gave Coleman a title in his final state meet. The long-time Little Hawk coach retired after the state meet after leading City High to seven state titles in 25 years as an assistant and head coach.

“That I was one reason that I really wanted to win Drake is because I wanted to do it for him since it’s his last year and he was my first high school track coach and I just love him so much,” Schaeckenbach said. “He was perfect for me and I what I needed so I’m so glad I could win this for him.”

Gaarde’s Golden Goal Sends Regina to State Semifinals (June 7, 2018)

Lauren Gaarde scored 67 goals during high school soccer career but it was the final goal for the Regina forward that was the most memorable.

Gaarde came up with the game-winner just 82 seconds into overtime to lift Regina to a 2-1 win over third-ranked Nevada in the opening round of the Class 1A state tournament.

The second goal of the game by Gaarde came on a high arching shot from the top of the box and avenged a regular season penalty kick loss to Nevada.

Gaarde’s goal sent Regina into the 1A quarterfinals for the fourth time in five seasons.

“We knew we don’t want to go into PKs,” Gaarde said. “We played against this team in overtime and it was a similar thing for us and we knew we could get it done in 80 minutes.”

Nock Caps Career (May 19, 2018)

As a junior Bailey Nock put herself in the conversation as one of the most successful distance runners in the storied history of the West High program.

In the final state meet appearance of her career Nock laid claim to being the best ever to do it at West High.

Nock capped a brilliant career that featured 15 state meet medals and six state titles by sweeping the state meet distance events for the second consecutive seasons.

The first ever West High girl to win a state title in the 3,000, Nock won back-to-back titles in the event in her final two seasons and added a pair of titles in the 1,500.

Nock won the 1,500 in a season-best time of 4:38.09 in the final race of her prep career.

“I got sad before the race began and then I had to snap out of it,” Nock said. “I thought about how this is it for me. My coach said no matter how hard you try or how many classes you fail you can’t come back and it kind of hit me hard realizing this is my last event.”

Koch Sisters Doubles Title (May 31, 2018)

Winning a state tennis title is rare feat experienced by only a handful of athletes each year.

Capping an unbeaten season by sharing a state title with a sibling is that much more of an extraordinary achievement.

That is what Emma and Audrey Koch did with back-to-back wins on the final day of the state tennis tournament.

The West High sister duo won the Class 2A doubles title with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Anna Wanek and Kaylyn Chleborad of West Des Moines Dowling after defeating Caitlyn Hanulikova and Chloe Wilson of Ames in the semifinals.

Emma and Audrey Koch didn’t drop a set at the state tournament and finished the season 18-0.

“It’s really a one-of-a-kind feeling,” Emma Koch said. “Not very many people get an opportunity to win a state championship with their sister. We’re really lucky we got that chance.”

West High Boys Track Runner-up (May 19, 2018)

When T.J. Craig took over the track program at West High he envisioned the Trojans competing for a state title.

It took just three seasons for that vision to come into focus.

Just three seasons after scoring five points at the state meet West High won four individual titles and finished runner-up to West Des Moines Valley at the Class 4A state track meet.

Austin West won titles in the 400 and 400 hurdles and West High swept the throwing events with titles from Landon Green in the shot put and Jonathan Gannon in the discus while finishing three points behind West Des Moines Valley in a title chase that wasn’t decided until the final event.

It was the first top-three finish for West High since 2013 and the 57 points for the Trojans surpassed the total from the previous three seasons combined.

“We’ve come so far both in the way that we run and the way that we compete but just the attitude,” Craig said. “We didn’t win but from where we were in the past this is a huge step in the right direction and gives hope for future teams going forward.”

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