By KELLY TERPSTRA, Courier Sports Writer
March 28, 2008 11:43 am
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OTTUMWA — Jim Nickerson has taken more than a few turns around the track.
Nickerson will mark a milestone moment when his Ottumwa boys track squad hits the cinders at Washington today.
Season No. 20 for the longtime Bulldog coach will officially be put in the books after the first click of his steadied stopwatch charts his team’s times and standing.
The sport of track and field has given Nickerson the opportunity to crank out several outstanding athletes over his time at OHS. His service and dedication to the sport has also enabled him to be able to shape lives — on and off the track.
“Track is a passion of mine. My father created that in me. Track is a good vehicle to teach kids to be successful in life,” said Nickerson, who still holds the fifth-quickest time in the 400 dash in OHS history.
Nickerson mentioned one of his other driving forces in explaining the ropes to his pupils of sport. It’s an enthusiastic principal of never being stagnant or lethargic.
“It’s about work ethic and I try to share that with the kids — teach them about life in general,” said the OHS head coach.
The 400-meter dash will be a featured event for Nickerson and Ottumwa this season.
The Bulldogs return three-fourths of their 4x400 relay squad that placed fifth at state in ’07.
Juniors Clint Utter, Tim Easton and Alex Kelly were three members of that squad which ran a 3:22.82 at the state meet last May. That’s the ninth-fastest time in school history.
The fourth participant in that hyped relay was 2007 OHS graduate Connor Daily, who runs track at Central College in Pella.
He’ll be missed.
“Connor’s role was beyond running. For leadership, you looked at Connor. He kept the team together,” said Nickerson.
Ottumwa senior P.J. Shaeffer will round out the 4x400 relay. All four of the aforementioned runners will also suit up for the 4x200.
Kelly has also sailed through the air with tremendous success in the high jump. He leaped 6-4 at an indoor meet in Pella recently. That’s tied for third-best all-time in the school record books.
Senior Cody Houk will be a big contributor in the 110-high hurdles and the long jump for Ottumwa. Houk is also a member of the shuttle hurdle relay team that is comprised of seniors Tyler Craff and Jacob Morrissey. Kelly and sophomore John Lawrence are also vying for a spot on the team.
Houk was a state qualifier last season in the 110 hurdles, as was the shuttle hurdle relay squad. Junior Garrett Crosby will also get some pit-time in the long jump and has looked good in the 400 dash according to Nickerson.
Seniors Chris Rupe, Kurt Hopkins and Colby Mouton will be big factors in the shot put and discus.
Nickerson has roughly 75 kids out and senior Nate Phillips will be a runner for Nickerson in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Sophomores Ben Lott, Mark Estes, Justin Rusch and Adam Goodvin will also take a crack at improving their times in the sprints. The 4x100 relay will more than likely be slotted with any of those viable sprinters.
The 4x800’s tentative starting four is seniors Jesse Hinebaugh and Colt Slater, coupled with juniors Jimmy Bates and Arnoldo Montoya.
The 400 hurdles will be undertaken by Morrissey, Lawrence and sophomore Drake Bittner.
Freshman Kevin Lewis and sophomore Adam Gates will be athletes to watch in the long-distance races for Bulldog fans.
Nickerson mentioned that there are a lot of “if’s” on this team and one of his main concerns is the 100’s and 200’s. But the coach is awfully excited about the opportunities and prospects that reside on his team. The key is staying healthy according to the OHS frontman.
“Check us out in the Newell Classic and see if we have a team then,” said Nickerson, who has a race (400 dash) in that meet that is named after his late father.
Nickerson will also have several new faces that will need to develop before making a big contribution to the squad. That’s the challenge and exciting part of being a part of all that is Ottumwa track and field.
“I’ve had the chance to be around Ottumwa’s finest,” said Nickerson, who took the head coaching position at Ottumwa in 1989.
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