Iowa state track and field 2021: Top boys’ athletes and teams to watch

DES MOINES -- After a year’s absence due to COVID-19, the Iowa high school state track and field meet returns at Drake Stadium this week.

The following is a glance at each class in the boys’ competition.

Class 4A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Drake Relays most outstanding performer T.J. Tomlyanovich of Cedar Falls is the top seed in the 400, is entered in the 800 and will be a hammer on two middle-distance relays. Despite a DNF in the district 110-meter high hurdles, Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Drew Bartels is top-seeded in three events (400 hurdles, long jump, shuttle hurdle relay). Deonte Dean of Marshalltown appears to be the favorite in the 100 and 200. Ames’ Aniey Akok will be one of Tomlyanovich’s chief rivals in the 800.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

On paper, Waukee is seeded to score the most points (61), with Ankeny Centennial (58) and Cedar Falls (55) the other primary contenders. Waukee should do most of its damage Thursday and Friday; the Warriors are projected to score 35 field-event points. The key event might be the 800, where Tomlyanovich isn’t seeded to score, but should place highly. Area squads Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Iowa City High are among a pack of six teams that will fight to round out the top five.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Cedar Falls, 2. Waukee, 3. Ankeny Centennial, 4. West Des Moines Dowling, 5. Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Class 3A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Nate Mueller of Adel ADM has the potential to complete a distance trifecta. He is top-seeded in the 800 and the 1,600, fifth in the 3,200, and is most likely the common-sense favorite in all three. Tyson Bock of Boone won the 400-meter hurdles at Drake, and is favored to do the same this weekend. He also is seeded second in the 400. Kody Huisman of Pella is gunning for a sweep in the throwing events.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Seeded No. 1 in four events (including three relays), Pella carries the tag of undisputed favorite. The Dutch are projected 2-3 in the 800 and could double-score in the 400. Mueller’s prominence in the distance events makes ADM a likely trophy winner, and probably the best bet to challenge the Dutch. Carlisle and North Polk look like the next best teams on paper, and Wamac Conference champion Clear Creek Amana is a well-balanced outfit.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Pella, 2. Adel ADM, 3. North Polk, 4. Carlisle, 5. Clear Creek Amana.

Class 2A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Future University of Iowa football player Cooper DeJean of Ida Grove OABCIG is a track star, too. He heads to Des Moines as the 2A favorite in the 100, 200 and long jump, though he’ll be pushed in the sprints by Underwood’s Brayden Wollan. Tipton’s Caleb Shumaker and Bellevue’s Brady Griebel highlight the distance contestants. Treynor is well-fortified in the hurdles events with Sid Schaaf and Noah James. Jesup’s Carson Lienau should be at or near the top in both throwing events.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Western Iowa rules here. The Western Iowa Conference, to be more precise. WIC rivals Treynor and Underwood are at the forefront of the 2A race. With Schaaf and James, Treynor is seeded to score 38 points in the three hurdles races, and Wollan is a top-three seed in three events. If it comes down to the final event, Underwood and Treynor are 1-2 in the 1,600-meter relay. Unity Christian is No. 1-seeded in four events, including three relays.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Treynor, 2. Underwood, 3. Unity Christian, 4. Ida Grove OABCIG, 5. Bellevue.

CClass 1

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Jason Renze and Clay Pehl give Madrid a potent 1-2 punch in both distance events. Lisbon’s Kole Becker is seeded to place in four events, including top-three in three (110 hurdles, long jump, shuttle hurdle relay). HLV’s Beau York has established himself as a title threat in both hurdles races. Beau Flander of English Valleys and Kael Unruh of North Cedar are two of the top short sprinters. Chase Knoche of Calamus-Wheatland is No. 1 in the 800 and anchors the Warriors’ top-seeded distance medley relay. And Layne Pryor of Woodbine could sweep the throws.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Of the four boys races, this is probably the most set in stone. Madrid is expected to jump into the lead after the very first event -- Renze and Pehl are seeded 1-2 in Thursday afternoon’s 3,200 -- and stay in front throughout the weekend. Earlham should get good points in the middle-distance events. Wapsie Valley is top-seeded in the sprint medley relay and high jump, but Lisbon could sneak in and take a trophy if it outperforms its seed in a few events.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Madrid, 2. Earlham, 3. Lisbon, 4. Wapsie Valley, 5. Grundy Center.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com