Xavier’s Stark has more to show

CEDAR RAPIDS - Three-time Drake Relays qualifier, four-time state qualifier and multiple All-Metro honors.

With accolades like that, one may think Nick Stark already has graduated from high school and moved on to running at the next level. But this junior speedster is far from finishing off his prep career, setting his sights on the top of the podium at the state meet this spring.

'My goals are to place in the top three in the long jump, 100 (meter) dash, and in the 4-by-100 relay,” Stark said. 'As a team, we hope to progressively get faster and drop times throughout the course of the season.”

At the 2014 state meet, Stark sprinted his way to a sixth-place finish in the Class 3A 100 dash final with a time of 11.47 seconds. He also placed 24th in the long jump. His 800 relay team qualified for the final meet of the season, as well. Stark and teammate Sean Murphy will be relied upon to lead the Saints in the sprint events. Senior Noah Clasen and junior Bryce Charipar will look to do some damage in the hurdle events.

'I would say the biggest thing for Nick is to continue improving his finishes by qualifying in the long jump for the Drake Relays this season,” Coach Russ Camacho said. 'I believe he has potential to make it to state in four events and I think he could finish in the top five for the long jump competition if he stays focused on his goals.”

The girls' track team also is looking to make a mark this year with some seasoned veterans returning. Senior Kayla Torson has two years of state competition experience with qualifications in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays her freshman and sophomore year. She is committed to playing volleyball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha next year and benefits greatly from being a multisport athlete.

'Track is a great way to keep me in shape for volleyball, except sometimes I will have volleyball practice right afterward and I feel like I can't jump off of the ground,” Torson said.

The high-level experience does not stop there for the Saints. Senior Taylor Skala has participated in the state meet all three years in the sprint relays and junior Sydney Oakley returns as a 400 relay member with qualifications for the state meet her freshman and sophomore year, as well.

With an abundance of great leadership and young talent, these girls have a legitimate shot of doing damage this season.

Both teams are in action tonight, the boys at Prairie's Hawkins Relays and the girls at Linn-Mar's Lion Relays. Both meets start at 4:30 p.m.