Wildcats load up with 13 State entries

Boys track

     Spectators at this week’s Class 1A State Boys Track and Field Meet in Des Moines won’t have to look hard to find Maquoketa Valley athletes.

     The Wildcats qualified 13 entries for State during the State Qualifying Meet May 10 in Central City. MV missed out on the team championship by just one point, as Calamus-Wheatland scored 140 to the MV’s 139.

     Still, there are many Wildcats headed to the May 16-18 state meet at Drake Stadium, including eight different individuals: Daniel Hunter in the 100-meter dash, Chance Downs in the 400, Chad Neuzil in the 110 hurdles, James LeGassick in the 400 hurdles, A.J. Ambundo in the high jump, Blake Becker in the discus, Norm Wilson in the shot put, and Brian Heims in the shot put.

     In addition, five relays advanced: the 4x100 team of Hunter, Evan Hoefer, Zach Digman and Chad Neuzil; the 4x200 team of Hunter, LeGassick, Derek Becker and Downs; the 4x400 team of Derek Becker, Hoefer, LeGassick and Downs; the sprint medley team of Hunter, Neuzil, Derek Becker and Downs; and the shuttle hurdle team of Derek Becker, Teige Hunt, LeGassick and Neuzil.

     Champions among these qualifiers included Neuzil in the 110 hurdles, LeGassick in the 400 hurdles, and the sprint medley, shuttle hurdle, 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

     Relay alternates for the Wildcats will be Tim Harmon, Owen Mensen, Nolan Ries and Jon Seibert.

     The Wildcats are coached by Pat Meehan, Curt Feldt, Sara Dever and Jason Helle.

Girls track

     Sam Wall qualified in two events, and the Maquoketa Valley girls track and field team won three titles earned five spots at the state meet, thanks to their performances in the Class 1A State Qualifying Meet May 10 in Central City.

     Wall advanced in both the 100-meter dash and the 200, finishing second in both. Lydia Helle was meet champion in the shot put. MV also qualified in the shuttle hurdle relay with the team of Leah Ries, Kailyn Hogan, Caelyn Sands and Payton Beamon; and the 4x400 relay with Beaman, Kylie Chesnut, Amaya Hunt and Wall. Both relays were champions at the qualifying meet.

     The qualifiers will compete at the state meet Thursday through Saturday, May 16-18 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

Girls golf

     Maquoketa Valley finished second as a team in the Tri-Rivers Conference, West Division Girls Golf Tournament May 6 at Meadowview Country Club in Central City.

     East Buchanan was division champion with a team total of 378, followed by Maquoketa Valley with 399 and Edgewood-Colesburg with 426. Eight teams competed.

     For the Wildcats, Kelly Winter finished third overall with scores of 49-42–91. Chloe Roling was 10^th individually with 53-46–99.

     Mady Moenck also had a 99 for MV, followed by Kelsey Ries with 110, Faith Hunt with 113 and Erika Supple with 114.

     “We ended up falling just short of our goal, and finished second to a very talented East Buchanan team,” Maquoketa Valley coach Tim Andrews said. “The girls fought until the end.

     “We as coaches were happy to see Kelly and Chloe come away with medals.”

Boys golf

     Isaac Zirtzman shot an 80 to win by four strokes in the Class 1A sectional boys golf meet held May 10 at Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Heath, Iowa.

     Zirtzman qualified for the district meet to be held May 15 at Blue Tip Ridge in Riverside.

     “Isaac Zirtzman took the course by storm,” Maquoketa Valley coach Tim Andrews said. “His stellar play all season has been a source of pride for our school.”

     The Wildcats’ team season came to an end, as MV finished fifth with a score of 396. Don Bosco (348) and Central City (352) were the team district qualifiers.

     Austin Snyder shot a 99, Tony Offerman had a 103, and Dylan Lane scored 114 for the ‘Cats.

     “It’s bittersweet seeing the team season end, but this has been a great season,” Andrews said. “The team improved its score by more than 60 strokes from the start of the season to now. We couldn’t be more proud of them.

     “Our lone senior, Austin Snyder, will be missed by his coaches and teammates.”