Boys’ track and field: Area teams to watch

Area boys' track and field teams to watch for the 2015 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach - Curt Pakkebier

2014 state finish - 3rd in Class 4A, 51.5 points (12 return)

Returning state placewinners - Shaun Beyer, jr. (2nd, shuttle hurdle relay; 3rd, high jump); Willie Rhoads, sr. (6th, high jump); Dalles Jacobus, jr. (8th, discus).

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

Coach - Bill Schwarz

2014 state finish - 8th in Class 4A, 32 points (13 return)

Returning state placewinners - Tysen VanDraska, jr. (1st, 3,200 relay; 4th, 800); Matt Lorenz, soph. (1st, 3,200 relay); Jalen Rima, jr. (6th, 400).

CENTER POINT-URBANA

Coach - Amy Marshall

2014 state finish - Class 3A runner-up, 42.25 points (34.75 return)

Returning state placewinners - Josh Yeager sr. (1st, 3,200 relay; 3rd, 1,600 medley relay; 4th, 3,200; 4th, 1,600); Michael Marshall, sr. (1st, 3,200 relay; 1st, 1,600 relay; 3rd, 1,600 medley relay); Brandon Kinsey, sr. (1st, 1,600 relay); JoJo Frost, soph. (3rd, 1,600 medley relay; 8th, shuttle hurdle relay).

LINN-MAR

Coach - Ken Hopkins

2014 state finish - Class 4A runner-up, 68 points (17.5 return)

Returning state placewinners - Austin Flieder, sr. (1st, 1,600 medley relay; 3rd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Tristan Freese, sr. (3rd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Daniel Gorsich, jr. (3rd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Daniel Murphy, sr. (3rd, 3,200).

MONTICELLO

Coach - Greg Williams

2014 state finish - Class 2A state champion, 92 points (12 return)

Returning state placewinners - Matt Manternach, jr. (1st, 3,200 relay; 1st, 1,600 medley relay; 7th, 3,200); Trent Aitchison, sr. (1st, 1,600 medley relay); Jarrett Easton, sr. (1st, 1,600 medley relay).

SOLON

Coach - Mark Sovers

2014 state finish - Class 3A state champion, 50 points (31.5 return)

Returning state placewinners - Connor Ham, sr. (1st, 110 hurdles; 1st, 200; 2nd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Brandon Childs, jr. (2nd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Nate Christensen, jr. (2nd, 400 relay; 3rd, 800 relay); Tanner Wymer, jr. (8th, discus).