ALTAMONT — Track is back!
After not having a season in 2020, Iola High head track coach Dana Daugharthy had several questions as the Mustang and Fillies returned to action this season.
“We really had no idea where many of our upperclassmen stood in their events,” he said.
Several of those questions were answered with authority.
Despite not fielding any relay teams, the Mustangs placed third as a team overall.
Meanwhile, the Fillies were small in numbers, but still fared well against tough competition.
“Needless to say, we were very pleased with the individual performances of the athletes,” Daugharthy said, noting Iola’s contingent was smaller than it otherwise would have been because he held back some performers until they’ve first competed in a junior varsity meet.
No worries. Iola’s JV squad is at Prairie View Monday.
For perspective’s sake, Iola had 36 total entries for the boys and girls teams, less than one-third the number of athletes from Chanute, Daugharthy said.
“Despite the difference in numbers, all of our athletes competed very well,” he said. “Our boys performed very well as a team, which is hard to do when you are massively outnumbered.”
Senior Jack Adams led the way by winning the 1600 meters in 5 minutes, 6 seconds, and placing second in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:48.
“His finish in the 1600 was really impressive as he was able to hold an opponent off in the last 100,” Daugharthy said. “These are both great marks for the beginning of the season for Jack.”
Senior Riley Jay took fourth in both the 1600 at 5:15 and 800 meters at 2:17.
Junior Brett Willis took silver in the triple jump, with a leap of 38 feet, 1 inch.
“This was an impressive jump by Brett because he is just starting out with triple jump,” Daugharthy said. “As he gains practice and becomes more familiar with this technical event, I believe that he is going to only push farther as he approaches 40 feet.”
Willis took fourth in the 100 meters with a personal best time of 11.2 seconds, and fourth in the long jump at 19’3”.
“All of these marks are a testament to how hard Brett has worked over the past couple of years! He truly does work hard and has the drive to be good!
