Iowa high school state track meet might be “tweaked, but not overhauled”

Expecting radical changes for the Iowa high school state track and field meet?

Tom Keating isn’t.

“Anybody that thinks that it will look drastically different, they wouldn’t be correct,” said Keating, the executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Keating told The Gazette on Wednesday that the traditional format for the state meet — co-ed, three days, all at Drake Stadium in Des Moines — remains intact.

“Most likely, that’s what it will be,” he said. “Exactly, what it will look like, I’m not sure.

“If we make any changes, they will be tweaks, not an overhaul. We understand the importance of recovery time for our athletes between events, and we will do what we can to protect the integrity of the event.”

The state meet is May 20-22. In the current schedule, the morning slate May 20-21 will consist of Class 2A and Class 3A boys and girls, with Class 1A and Class 4A in the afternoon.

All classes are scheduled to compete together May 22.

The IHSAA and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union are awaiting word from Drake University on the number of fans that will be permitted. The number was 3,000 per day for the Drake Relays.

“They’re doing their due diligence,” Keating said. “The longer they wait, the better chance for a higher number.”

As far as 3,000 ...

“I would say we need a bigger number than that,” he said. “We can’t demand anything, but to accommodate the moms and dads, we need to go beyond 3,000.”

Keating expects an attendance number from Drake in the coming days, and said the IHSAA and IGHSAU could send out a schedule, whether status quo or with revisions, within a week.

They’re big-time: Area athletes atop the state leaderboard

As the season heads into its championship phase (conference meets next week, state-qualifying meets the following week, then state), a few area names are regulars at the top of the state leaderboard in their respective classes.

Among them:

Kole Becker, Lisbon — The junior has climbed to the top in three individual Class 1A boys’ events (the 110- and 400-meter hurdles and the long jump) and highlights the Lions’ No. 1 shuttle hurdle relay.

Gabby Cortez, Cedar Rapids Prairie — She’s all over the 4A girls’ leaderboard, including No. 1 in the 400. The junior is part of five Prairie relays that are in the top five, highlighted by a top-ranked distance medley relay.

Drew Bartels, Cedar Rapids Kennedy — The senior leads the 4A boys division in the 110-meter hurdles and long jump and is a member of the Cougars’ top-ranked shuttle hurdle relay. He is No. 2 in the 400 hurdles.

Mitzi Evans and Danielle Hostetler, Mid-Prairie — The Golden Hawks are chasing their third straight 2A girls’ team crown, and are rated in the top five in 10 events. Evans is No. 1 in the 400 and 800, Hostetler in the 1,500 and 3,000.

Kelly Proesch, North Cedar — Leads the 1A girls’ division in both hurdles events, is No. 2 in the 200, No. 3 in the 100.

Audrey Biermann, Western Dubuque — Ranks atop the 3A girls in the 100 and 200, and is No. 2 in the 400.

Carson Lienau, Jesup — The 2A boys’ leader in the shot put and discus.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com