BY IAN SMITH, Courier sports writer
May 15, 2008 12:28 am
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OTTUMWA – Davis Eidahl is one lucky coach. He gets to enjoy his seniors for one more meet.
The legendary Pekin skipper relied on a strong contingent of seniors this season. Playing the underdog role for much of the year, the Panthers found a way to win. Their reward? Pekin qualified for 10 events at this weekend’s 2008 Boys State Track Meet.
The seniors will once again do the heavy lifting before taking their talents elsewhere.
“We’ve won several meets this year, we won the conference,” Eidahl said. “After every meet, we just walk off the field. We don't take victory laps. It's just business as usual.
“These seniors know how to step up when it's tough. That's what I like.”
Pekin’s elder statesmen won’t be alone. Over two dozen other seniors from the area are heading to Des Moines this weekend for one last hurrah. Even with Fairfield’s Will Wellington returning to defend his title in the Class 3A 100 meter dash, the Panthers might possess the best chance for multiple state titles.
One of the heavy favorites this weekend is Pekin’s Jordan Sathoff. A star on the basketball court, Sathoff is naturally one of the best high jumpers in the state. In districts, the senior set a new school record with a qualifying jump of 6-10.00.
The mark is six inches better than the next best qualifying jump in Class 2A.
“It’s amazing because, the one thing we’ve done, we’ve let Jordan work on the high jump for four years and not worry about other things,” Eidahl said. “He could have helped us in relays, but look what he’s done in high jumps.”
Brad Mosinski is another record-breaker in the Pekin clan headed to Des Moines this weekend. The senior owns the best qualifying time in the 400 hurdles (53.94). Mosinski is also slated to compete in the 400 meter dash (50.61), the 4x100 and the shuttle hurdle relay.
“Brad is amazing,” Eidahl said. “He and Kelly [Graham] have run varsity for four years. Each year they keep getting a little bit better. They are good athletes in all sports, but they really like track.”
Seniors Kaleb Watson, Graham and Bryce Millikin will join Mosinski in the shuttle hurdle relay this weekend. The versatile Millikin is making his fourth trip to the state meet and will compete in four different relay events.
Watson and Graham are slated for three events each.
One key to Pekin’s success is the duo of Tyler Crouse and Jason Schultz. The seniors will compete in both the discus and shot put this weekend. Crouse holds the third best qualifying toss in the discus with a throw of 169-02.
“They are both seniors and with Tyler’s work ethic, that’s really helped Jason,” Eidahl said. “Jason has a good work ethic, also. In Jason’s case, he knows how to compete. In several meets this year, it came down to one more throw. He did it and got second at conference. He did it at districts.”
Besides Pekin in Class 2A, the Eddyville-Blakesburg Rockets are pinning their hopes on three seniors making the trip north. Ben Taylor, Paul Fenton and Dakota Johnston join a strong group of E-B underclassmen this weekend. Taylor — a state meet veteran — will be busy. The senior will toe the starting line in the 4x400, the long jump and the shuttle hurdle relay.
Albia’s William Wynn, Matt Myers, Jesse Simmons and Austin Hutchinson are all making their last trips around the oval this weekend for the Blue Demons.
Wellington, meanwhile, is hoping to defend his crown in the Class 3A, 100 meter dash. Earlier this season, the Fairfield senior clocked a 10.52 to break the Trojans’ school record. Heading into this weekend, Wellington owns the second fastest qualifying time (10.70), just .03 seconds behind New Hampton’s Simon Schuchhardt.
Wellington could also bring home gold in the 200 meter dash. He is seeded second in the event after running a 22.37 at districts. To complete his weekend, Wellington will run in the 4x100 and 4x200. Fairfield seniors Mike Wiseman and Jeff Rohloff will join him in the events.
The Class 3A field features another area athlete competing for a title. Centerville’s Wallace Carter holds one of the top qualifying throws in the discus with a toss of 157-07.50 at districts. He will also compete in the shot put this weekend. Teammates Jason Conrad and Levi Long are both making the trip with Carter and each is slated for three events.
Chariton is sending a pair of seniors to Des Moines this weekend. Avery Fuhs will compete against Carter in the shot put. Zac Brackett is preparing for the 200 meter dash (23.30) and the 400 meter dash (51.54).
One Van Buren senior is ready to etch his name among the state’s top athletes this weekend in the Class 1A meet. Brock Caves qualified for state in the 400, 400 hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400.
After running at the Drake Relays, Caves is primed for a shot at a state title in the 400 hurdles. Heading into the event, Caves owns the fastest qualifying time (53.83) in Class 1A. Caves is also hoping to place in the 4x400, where he is joined by fellow senior Zach Wenke. Van Buren has the fastest time in heat No. 3 after running a 3:34.23 at districts.
Seymour’s Ethan Miller cruises into the state’s capital with hopes of capturing a title in the high jump. The senior is seeded No. 1 in the event after clearing 6-06.50 at districts. Miller will also compete in the long jump and 400 hurdles.
A trio of Fairfield Maharishi seniors are making their final appearance on the track in the 4x800. Michael Dearborn, Lane Weaver and David Boyle will run for the last time for the Pioneers.
Cardinal is also represented in Des Moines by three seniors. Richard Fortney will heave the discus after qualifying with a toss of 126-02. Kyle LaPoint and Michael Warren are slated to compete in the distance medley for the Comets.
Tri-County’s Ryan Schmidt is finishing his career on the track with an appearance in the 100 meter dash. The multi-sport athlete qualified with a time of 11.27.
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