MFL MarMac Boys Track and Field Preview: Bulldogs hope to defend Upper Iowa Conference title
The MFL MarMac boys track and field team includes (front, left to right) Anthony Bunting, Hunter Bogdonovich, Rylan Schroeder, Adian Reynolds; (back) assistant coach Karter Decker, Kashton Decker, Averey Thornton, Rylee Kugel, Jaxon Millage, Carter Streicher, Tucker Ruff, Carter Stoddard, Eli Hanson, Dante Thornton and head coach Tracy Decker. Not pictured are Carter Lightfoot, Bryce Jones, Payton Schultz, Parker Kuehl and Blake Schutte. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac boys track and field team is hoping to defend its Upper Iowa Conference title in 2025.
The road to a repeat got underway March 21, at the UIC indoor meet, where the Bulldogs won the team championship as well as several individual races and relays. MFL MarMac filled every event but the 800-meter run that night, and coach Tracy Decker said strong numbers—19 athletes—means the team should be able to cover most events from meet to meet.
“This year we have a couple more sprinters and middle distance guys. We still could have used more field events and long distance guys, but I like our numbers for the most part,” Decker said.
Key returners include sophomore Kashton Decker, juniors Anthony Bunting and Eli Hanson and senior Parker Kuehl in the sprints. They were also staples on successful relays last year.
Additionally, the Bulldogs return a seasoned shuttle hurdle relay team that includes seniors Carter Stoddard, Tucker Ruff, Carter Streicher and Rylee Kugel.
“It is good to have Streicher back healthy this year,” Decker said, “but Kugel is nursing an injury, so we will be looking for another hurdler to take his place for a while.
Middle distance runner Jaxon Millage, a senior, will fill a spot in some relays. Decker will also look to utilize sophomores Hunter Bogdonovich, Blake Schutte, Bryce Jones and Rylan Schroeder, along with junior Carter Lightfoot.
Jones and Lightfoot “will help in the sprints and have already proven they will help the team,” Decker stated.
Bogdonovich, Schutte and Schroeder are all new and “are middle distance guys who can help fill events,” the coach added. “Dante Thornton, Payton Schultz and Adian Reynolds are also new and are probably all going to run long distance.”
Another newcomer, senior Averey Thornton, will throw for MFL MarMac in the shot put and discus. Decker expects some of the sprinters will participate in high jump and long jump.
“A lot of things need to be nailed down yet, but there are options, which is nice,” he said.
A big goal this season is to repeat as Upper Iowa Conference champions, “but that will take work and staying healthy,” according to Decker. “We didn’t get anyone to state last year, and that is always the goal. A lot of hard work will have to be done, so we will see.”
The Bulldogs will be in action next on Thursday, April 3, at Waukon.
