Fourth-place Finish From Kabela Helps Solon to Runner-up Performance at WAMAC Conference Meet
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
SOLON – Brick Kabela admitted he wasn’t at his best on Thursday at the WAMAC Conference meet.
As it turns out even on an ‘off day’ Kabela is still pretty darn good.
Kabela battled to a fourth-place individual finish to lead Class 3A fifth-ranked Solon to a runner-up team finish at the WAMAC Meet at a damp and muddy Solon Nature and Recreation Area.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel that great,” Kabela said. “I was winded really early in the race so I didn’t feel my best which is something that I’m going to try to figure out for districts but I still ran where I wanted to place-wise so I’m pretty happy with it.”
Junior Gabe Hinman joined Kabela in the top-10 with a seventh-place finish as Solon finished with 81 points, 43 behind Class 3A second-ranked Marion which won team title for the first time since 2018.
2A third-ranked Williamsburg was third with 89 followed by Mount Vernon-Lisbon with 114 and South Tama with 143.
Senior Gavin Zillyette placed ninth in a time of 17:04 to help Clear Creek Amana to a sixth-place team finish with 144 points.
“Today I didn’t perform quite where I wanted to but honestly I’m not too concerned,” Zillyette said. “I think rolling into next week I will be back in my grove and I think I’ll be in a pretty good spot and I think the team the same way.”
Thursday didn’t go exactly how Kabela wanted either but the Solon sophomore standout still ended up in a solid position.
Defending conference champion and 3A third-ranked Eli Larson of Center Point-Urbana pulled away from the field over the final mile to win the individual title by more than 26 seconds in a time of 15:52.2.
Trailing Larson was the Marion duo of Shane Erb and Jedidiah Osgood who each entered the race ranked in the top eight in Class 3A.
Right behind was Kabela who finished fourth in a time of 16:49.5 which was nearly eight seconds in front of fifth-place Tommy Tyynismaa of South Tama.
“It’s nice to know that not on my best day I still ran a decent time,” Kabela said. “I’ve been consistent all season so I know that I am going to go out and compete no matter how I feel.”
Hinman was seventh for Solon in a time of 16:59.9 while Michael Yeomans was 22nd in 17:49.7 and Ty Becicka was 23rd in 17:57.2.
The defending 3A state runner-up the Spartans will attempt to return to the state meet next Wednesday when they host a state qualifying meet.
“I think we are in the good spot to qualify for state next week but it’s just about us coming and competing honestly,” Kabela said. “We can do big things but we are going to have to do our best.”
Zillyette led a group of three Clippers that finished in the top 34 on Thursday.
Freshman Brock Hilsman was 14th in 17:25.7 and Cameron Kimm was 34th in 18:32 for the Clippers.
“I’ve kind of started off slow this year but for me it’s never really been a concern,” ZIllyette said. “This is my fourth year in the program and I really trust coach Robison’s process. We kind of build up and by the time we hit this time we are ready to go.”
WAMAC Conference Meet
At Solon Nature and Recreation Area
Team scores – 1. Marion 38; 2. Solon 81; 3. Williamsburg 89; 4. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 114; 5. South Tama 143; 6. Clear Creek Amana 144; 7. Center Point-Urbana 175; 8. Benton Community 214; 9. West Delaware 241; 10. Vinton-Shellsburg 269; 11. Maquoketa 340; 12. Dyersville Beckman 346; 13. Independence 367
Individual leaders – 1. Eli Larson (CP-U) 15:52.2; 2. Shane Erb (MAR) 16:18.3; 3. Jedidiah Osgood (MAR) 16:31; 4. Brick Kabela (SOL) 16:49.5; 5. Tommy Tyynismaa (ST) 16:57.4; 6. Harrison Garber (WIL) 16:59; 7. Gabe Hinman (SOL) 16:59.9; 8. James Brant (ST) 17:03.2; 9. Gavin Zillyette (CCA) 17:04; 10. Blake Roling (MAR) 17:05.2; 11. Chris Oberbrockling (MAR) 17:15; 12. Jakob Regennitter (MAR) 17:19.1; 13. Trey Schulte (BC) 17:25.4; 14. Brock Hilsman (CCA) 17:25.7; 15. Sam Rich (WIL) 17:32
Solon (81) – 4. Brick Kabela 16:49.5; 7. Gabe Hinman 16:59.9; 22. Michael Yeomans 17:49.7; 23. Ty Becicka 17:57.2; 25. Grant Bumsted 18:11.4; 35. Ethan McLaughlin 18:35.8; 36. Nolan Pauley 18:41.1
Clear Creek Amana (144) – 9. Gavin Zillyette 17:04; 14. Brock Hilsman 17:25.7; 34. Cameron Kimm 18:32; 42. Cash Jensen 18:53.2; 45. Peyton Stadler 19:01.9; 71. Fred Schultz 20:31
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