The Aplington-Parkersburg boys track & field team is entering the season with a high level of optimism. Three events, according to Head Coach Mark Haren, have the potential to be among the best in Class 2A.
Haren says senior Kael Stotler, who won Tuesday’s shot put event at the Wartburg Indoor Invitational by over four feet, has shown vast improvement throughout the offseason.
“Realistically, he has a very good shot at bringing home a medal in the shot put,” Haren says. “It was senior dominated at the state meet last year in the 2A shot put. And he’s luckily one of the top three or four returning guys in Class 2A. So he’s got a very realistic shot. He’s thrown twice this year. Most of last year, he probably was throwing around 45, 46 feet. And then he threw 49 at regionals and qualified for state and had a big PR, which that’s the night you’re supposed to do it. But so far, this year he’s been consistently in the 50s. That is a very real opportunity for him to bring home a medal.”
The 4×800-meter relay team of Nick Neuroth, Trevan Thomas, Sully Janssen and Gavin Thomas is expected to continue a strong tradition in that event.
“The four returning guys, three of them are back from last year’s team. But then Gavin Thomas is back out for track and he ran on the 4×800 at state two and three years ago. So between those four guys, I think there’s about seven different times they’ve run the 4×800 at state. So I’ve got a pretty veteran crew there even though two of them are seniors and two of them are sophomores. I think they’ve got a really good opportunity to bring home a medal as well.”
Haren also says Neuroth has a strong chance to return to state in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Falcons will begin the outdoor season at Grundy Center on Tuesday, April 2.
