The Mount Vernon boys’ said goodbye to two of the strongest 400-meter runners in school history – Zach Fall and Jensen Meeker, who finished first and fourth in the open 400 at the 3A state meet, and ran legs on the winning 4×400 and distance medley relays.
“They were super-hard workers, and that’s what made them special,” Mount Vernon Coach Ryan Whitman said. “They wanted to be the best they possibly could be, and that trickled down.”
Mount Vernon finished fifth in 3A with 40 points, behind Pella, Western Dubuque, Harlan and North Polk.
And now Fall is running at Northern Iowa, and Meeker at Iowa State. Also gone are Caden Stimmel, Tyler Panos, Brady Erickson, Cyrus Zangerle and Ryne Moeller, who all ran at state last spring.
“We ran really, really well last year, and it was sad to see them go,” Whitman said. “But we’ve got guys coming back, too. We don’t have a lot of state experience, but I’m seeing a lot of good things.”
The Mustangs have 58 athletes out for track.
“When you’ve got that many, it allows for depth and competition,” Whitman said. “If you work hard and get things done, good things can happen.
“We’re excited to see what we’re going to become.”
The Mustangs ran six of the seven relay events at state last season, and should be strong there again.
“I always try to emphasize the relays,” said Whitman, in his 14th year in charge of the Mustangs. “We like to get as many guys to state as possible.”
Different athletes always step up, from season to season. Whitman said that Colin Bentley, a junior, has put in the work and is looking good. He ran in the 4×100, 4×200 and sprint medley at state last season.
Junior Ethan Wood is the rare thrower who may also contribute in sprints.
“He’s one of those guys,” Whitman said. “He has a chance to do that.”
Senior Evan Brase and hurdler Miles Francois, plus Gabe Fairchild, have also made strides.
MUSTANG BOYS
2023 state finish – fifth in 3A.
Returning state participants – Grady Olberding, jr. (3,200, 4×800); Colin Bentley, jr. (4×100, 4×200, sprint medley); Evan Brase, sr., (4×100); Jase Jaspers, so., (4×100); Dawson Scheil, so. (4×800);
Grady Olberding runs for MV last season