Panthers bring home medals from state competition

   Two medals and four top-half finishes were the highlights for the Monticello Panthers at the State Class 2A Boys Track and Field Meet May 18-20 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

   “I am very proud of our effort at the state meet,” Monticello coach Greg Williams said. “We work throughout the year to have our personal bests at the state meet.”

   Assistant coach Donnie Kremer added: “I thought the boys performed outstanding. We competed at a very high level.”

   The medals came from a pair of relays, the 4x800 on Thursday and the distance medley on Friday.

   The 4x800 team of Chesney Capron, Ty Tallman, Hayden Tomkins and Ian Temple finished sixth in 8:10.54.

   “It was a great start to the meet,” Williams said. “We improved our time by over eight seconds.”

   Kremer added: “We only had one runner (Temple) with experience in that relay, and the other did a great job of running their race.”

   Temple, a senior, said: “My teammates put me in a great spot. We didn’t know how things would go at the beginning of the year, but here we are now, so I’d say it’s a good result.”

   On Friday, the distance medley earned an eighth-place medal with the team of Connor Sauser, Conner Jordan, Tate Jesenovec and Temple; in 3:38.13.

   Jordan, interviewed just before the Panthers learned of their final placing, said: “It’s just so cool to be down here and finally run on the blue oval. As a team we just ran so well, the handoffs were great, and hopefully we got that medal.”

   Williams said: “This relay is always one of the most competitive to run. We rose up to the competition to earn our medal.”

   Monticello also competed in four individual events. On Saturday, Temple finished 11^th in the 800, in 1:59.93.

   “Ian raced to a three-second personal best,” Williams said. “It was a great effort for his third race in three days.”

   Zach Yates, a junior, finished 12^th in the discus on Friday, throwing 146-5.

   “It was great for Zach to have the opportunity to throw at the state meet,” Williams said. “I know it has motivated him to get back there next year to improve his distance and placing.”

   Capron was 13^th in the 1,600 on Saturday, with a time of 4:34.48, setting a new personal record by two seconds.

   “I know he wanted to place higher, but it was a very competitive field,” Williams said.

   Tait Luensman ran in the 400 on Thursday, and finished 23^rd.

   “I thought Tait gained some very valuable experience for the future,” Kremer said.

   Williams said: “I am already looking forward to next year. We had five underclassmen at State. I know they want to get back to State next year and compete as well or better.

   “I am proud of our seniors for their work ethic all year.”

May 18-20

Class 2A State

Boys Track and

Field Meet

(at Drake Stadium,

Des Moines)

     4x800: 6, Chesney Capron, Ty Tallman, Hayden Tomkins, Ian Temple; 8:10.54.

     400: 23, Tait Luensman, 54.93.

     Distance medley: 8, Connor Sauser, Conner Jordan, Tate Jesenovec, Ian Temple; 3:38.13.

     Discus: 12, Zach Yates, 146-5.

     800: 11, Ian Temple, 1:59.93.

     1,600: 13, Chesney Capron, 4:34.48.