Your Prep Sports

One of the most decorated distance runners in Liberty High history will continue his collegiate running career in state.

Liberty High senior Aidan Decker announced his commitment to Wartburg College on Monday with a post on social media.

“I’d like to start this off by thanking everyone that has helped me get to this point in my life,” Decker wrote on his Instagram account. “All of my teachers and classmates that have helped me become a better student. My teammates over the years that have pushed me to become the best version of myself that I can be. The cross country and track and field coaching staffs at Liberty High School that have guided me to reaching all of my goals through hard work and a positive mindset. Everyone at Wartburg that has made my dream of running in college become my future. And lastly, I’d like to thank all of my family members and close friends for never letting me lose sight of who I am as a person. With all of that said, I am beyond thrilled to announce my academic and athletic commitment to Wartburg College.”

A four-time state cross country qualifier Decker capped a brilliant career with a strong showing at the Class 4A state meet last fall.

Decker earned the first state medal of his career placing ninth in 4A in a time of 15:44.

It was the fourth consecutive top-42 finish at the state meet for Decker and the time of 15:44 was nearly 40 seconds faster than his state meet time as a junior in 2022.

As a senior Decker helped Liberty High to one of the most successful seasons in program history helping the Lightning to a third-place finish at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet, a runner-up finish at the Class 4A state qualifier and a sixth-place finish at the state meet.

Before his state-meet breakthrough Decker was eighth at the MVC Super Meet and fourth at the 4A state qualifier in Ames, both career bests.

Also a standout in track, Decker finished 11^th in the 1,600 at the Class 4A state meet last season in a time of 4:20.05.

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