Lisbon senior Tiernan Boots does not like finishing second. Like. At all.
“No, definitely not,” Boots said. “Second is not a good feeling. I’ve got to train harder, get ready for next race.”
Fortunately, it doesn’t happen too often for Boots or the Lisbon boys’ track team. The Lions won both of their home meet last week, topping the Lisbon Opener on Tuesday, April 15, and the Lisbon Invitational on Thursday, April 17.
And the two-time defending Class 1A track champ won both titles without stacking the lineup.
“That really shows our depth,” Lisbon Coach Lonnie Speidel said. “It may not be our biggest firepower team … but it is one of the deepest teams Lisbon has had.
“We showed great depth, especially in field events.”
The Lions won the 10-team invitational with 136 points, topping secondplace Anamosa (114) and third-place Alburnett (107). They also won the opener with 155 points, toping Vinton-Shellsburg (126) and Mount Vernon (108).
“It shows how deep we are and how much potential we have,” Boots said. “We really haven’t seen our loaded-up meet, so it’ll be exciting to see what we can do when we’re fully stacked up, for sure.
“Expectations are definitely set high, and we definitely want that third title.”
Boots did lose in the open 100-meter race Thursday. West Branch’s Brandon Pedersen ran a 10.78 and Boots was second in 11.00. Boots had beaten Pedersen the previous week in Mount Vernon.
“That kid is impressive,” Speidel said of Pedersen. “Tiernan was mad. Understandable. He’ll bounce back. He’ll be fine. It doesn’t hurt to be humbled every once in a while.”
Boots, along with Quinn Coleman, Dakota Clark and Chase McFarlane were also second in the 4×100 to Alburnett. The Lions ran 43.41 and the Pirates were at 43.32. That may be one to watch.
Still, the Lisbon sprints head to the Drake Relays this week to try and take on the big schools in the unclassed event.
“We know we’re racing against bigger teams,” Boots said. “It is us against the clock, buy there is always somebody faster. Trust the clock and just get a better time.”
There were a few finishes to watch Thursday. Gage Holub finished first in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.82. He also anchored the winning shuttle hurdle relay, pulling away from what had been a close race.
“Gage ran the No. 1 time in hurdles in 1A,” Speidel said. “We’re ecstatic.”
The other winner Thursday was Dakota Clark in the 200, which he finished in 22.88 seconds.
Otherwise, the Lions relied on depth to pile up the points.
“We never stack up this early,” Speidel said. “I like to have the legs as fresh as they can be later in the season.”
Lisbon has shown more scoring potential across more events, with an improving middle distance and distance runners.
“They’ve come through this year and are showing some talent,” Boots said. “Hopefully that’ll help us in a few relays get a few more points at state.”
“We have a well-rounded team,” Speidel said. “We’re not just one event. We cover a lot of areas.”
On the girls side, Anamosa won Thursday, and Mount Vernon won Tuesday. But the Lions placed third and fourth, respectively, and showed plenty of potential.
“We’re a young team, but I’m pleased with the direction we’re going,” Lisbon coach Brett Epperly said. “Everyone’s times are starting to drop. The girls are seeing that and it is proof of why we do what we do.”
Senior Brynn Epperly had a big night. She won the long jump (15-3) took a leg on the winning 4×100 team, and was third in the open 200. Her best race might’ve been her third-place finish in the 100 hurdles (16.42), where she finished behind two of the state’s best, including event winner Miranda Neighbor of Alburnett (15.42).
And Epperly won the 100 hurdles in the Lisbon Opener on Tuesday.
“This is my first year running the 100 hurdles, and each race I’m working at progressing, getting better,” Brynn Epperly said. “Winning is a good confidence booster, but losing to the best in the state will also push me. I got a PR tonight (Thursday), which is what you want. They pushed me to get a better time.”
Lisbon got another noteworthy finish in the 800, where sophomore Emma Pleasant won in 2:44.08.
The rest of the 4×100 relay, with Epperly – freshman Quinn Roos, senior Addie Clark and freshman Brynnley Patterson, made up three legs of the winning 4×200, with sophomore Lelia Mayhew.
“We put our relays together tonight and they really competed well in front of the home crowd,” Coach Epperly said. “Our relay times keep coming down as we build trust.”
“We have a very young team, but it is kind of exciting to see their growth throughout the season,” Brynn Epperly said. “We still have a lot to figure out and a lot of pieces to fill, but the younger girls are really stepping up.”