PREVIEW: Upperclassmen to carry Wildcats

Published by admin on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 9:35am

The boys track and field team at Maquoketa Valley includes: first row from left: Chad Neuzil, Canyon Richardson, Daniel Hunter, Tyler Britcher, Aiden Atwell, Mason Lubben, Brody Sevart and Mitchell Neuzil. Second row: Colin Wendt, Sean Hucker, Derek Becker, Bryant Meyer-Kemp, Norman Wilson, Isaac Kramer, Tate Trenkamp, Alex Digman, Brenden Hogan and Blake Becker. Third row: assistant coach Curt Feldt, Alex McCusker, Michael Feldmann, Evan Hoefer, Zak Harbach, Clint Krapfl, Kyle Wilson, Brock Hillers, Brian Heims, Tyson Tucker and head coach Pat Meehan. Not pictured are Chance Downs, Alec McDowell, Andy O’Connell and assistant coach Sara Dever. (Photo by Diane Temple)
BOYS TRACK

     Sixteen returning letter-winners and 30 total athletes are with the Maquoketa Valley boys track and field team this spring.

     Best of all for the Wildcats, there are 14 upperclassmen on the roster.

     “That should allow the team to compete more favorably than previous teams, which were primarily made up of underclassmen,” said Pat Meehan, who co-coaches the team with Curt Feldt. “This team has a good mix of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers.”

     Meehan said the team should be strong in the sprints, hurdles, throws and long jump.

     “Kyle Wilson returns as one of the premier area runners in the 800,” Meehan said. “Zak Harbach is poised to have a championship season in the springs and long jump. Throwers Clint Krapfl and Brody Sevart will be some of the area’s best in the discus and shot put, respectively. Colin Wendt and Brock Hillers will anchor a talented group of hurdlers. Brenden Hogan and Tate Trenkamp look much improved in the distance events.”

     Meehan said two-time defending Class 1A state champion Lisbon is the likely favorite in the Tri-Rivers Conference, with North-Linn and Maquoketa Valley hoping to challenge. MV was in Class 2A last year, but moves down to 1A this season.

     Meehan and Feldt have nearly 75 years of coaching experience at MV between them. Joining the staff are distance coach Sara Dever, and Jason Helle, who works with the throwers.         

 

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