Bulldog boys boast state threats in sprint and distance events
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
This year, the MFL MarMac boys track and field team will look to qualify athletes for state for the third straight season.
Head coach Eric Koenig, who’s made the jump from assistant, sees potential in both sprinting and distance events.
Karter Decker, the team’s lone senior, was sidelined by an injury last year, but is a former state qualifier in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes along with a relay. He’ll focus on the 100 and 200 this season, said Koenig.
Junior Wyatt Powell, who ran in the sprint medley relay at state as a freshman, will also give the team a boost.
With those two, junior Carver Blietz-Bentien and another sprinter, “we can maybe pull a 4x100 together,” Koenig said.
The coach hopes the sprinters will benefit from a program that focuses on high volume, low velocity training.
“When they’re working, they’re working really hard. We don’t do a ton. Nothing that stresses them out a ton,” he explained.
“We do a lot at top speed. Not a lot of jogging. All sprinting,” added assistant coach Tracy Decker. “A lot of jumping and explosive type stuff.”
Sophomore Tucker Ruff and junior Brandon Christofferson will lead MFL MarMac at the middle distances, according to Koenig.
“If we can get a couple sprinters, we’ll do a distance medley,” he stated.
Sophomore Jacob Schellhorn, a two-time state cross country qualifier, will compete in the one- and two-mile events.
At the recent Dickinson Relays, Schellhorn “I would say ran a state-qualifying two-mile time already,” said Koenig.
Sophomore Aiden Schoulte and freshman Hunter Christofferson will represent the Bulldogs in the shot put and discus, but Koenig said the remaining field events are still being filled out.
Just a week into practice, he’s also still determining how other incoming freshmen will factor into events.
“There are a few freshman who, so far in practice, have been doing well. I’ve never worked with any of them, so I don’t know what to expect,” Koenig said, noting that last week’s Upper Iowa Conference indoor meet would be a good test.
The goal for this season is to try to get more than one or two athletes to state, according to the coach.
“Hopefully we can maintain some interest in the sport. We need that success to build on,” he said.
Next up for the Bulldogs will be the Waukon Early Bird meet on March 30.