Nobody jumps or throws better than Linn-Mar’s field-event crew

MARION — Girls and boys. Jumps and throws.

Linn-Mar has a mission, both lofty and realistic, when it hosts a Class 4A track and field state-qualifying meet Thursday.

“We’re ready to sweep the field,” senior Kennedy Evans said.

The Lions emphatically put the FIELD in track and field, shining brightly in those four events that can be overlooked by the casual observer, but also can be so valuable.

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“We sure don’t overlook them,” girls’ coach Nathan Hopp said. “They’re an important piece to having a successful team.”

Consider this: On their way to a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional championship last year, Linn-Mar’s girls scored 64 field-event points.

They’re seeded for a similar feat Thursday, when the Lions host an eight-team field. Field events start at 4 p.m. (and you don’t want to miss them), with action starting on the track at 4:30.

In 4A, the top two times/distances in each event automatically qualify from each site, plus 12 at-large qualifiers statewide.

In 3A and 2A, the top two times/distances in each events are automatic qualifiers, plus eight at-large qualifiers statewide.

In 1A, event champions are automatic qualifiers, in addition to 14 at-large qualifiers statewide.

The state meet is May 18-20 at Drake Stadium, Des Moines.

Let’s meet Linn-Mar cast of field-event aces:

* A Grand View University football commit, senior T.J. Jackson was the Drake Relays runner-up in the boys’ high jump and long jump. He missed last week’s MVC divisional meet due to illness.

“He’s feeling a lot better, he got some reps in and he’ll be ready to go (Thursday),” boys’ coach Kyle Hoffman said.

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* Sam Watts and Keaton Roskop, both juniors, are ranked 1-2 among 4A boys’ shot put contestants, with the latter finishing second at Drake. Roskop is No. 3 in the discus.

For the girls, the eight field-event slots likely will be filled by eight different competitors, and all of them are projected to finish top three Thursday.

* Evans and junior Josianna Toinger will heave the shot; junior Gwen Gaffney and sophomore Erica Kinn will fling the disc.

* Junior Petra Sherman and freshman Abby Mecklenburg are the long jumpers; seniors Allison Kriegel and Katy Hand are entered in the high jump.

“It’s really cool that we have multiple kids involved instead of just one or two,” Hopp said. “All of those kids get us going, get us some momentum for the rest of the meet.”

When Hopp took the job at Linn-Mar, one of his first priorities was to seek advice.

He sought Mike Parker, girls’ coach at Iowa City West.

“They were so strong in the field events back then,” Hopp said. “You’d go to a track meet and they were 40 points ahead after the field events.

“After talking to him, I decided we wanted to get our best athletes not only to run, but to do field events, too.”

Athleticism is part of the equation: “It’s pretty simple,” said Roskop, who will join the Iowa State football program in 2024. “Our throwers and our jumpers, they’re strong and fast.”

Patience and perseverance, that’s another factor.

“You find who’s interested in doing it,” Hoffman said. “It takes time to learn and to stick with it.”

As we round the final curve of the 2023 track and field season, different athletes and different teams have a variety of goals.

Jackson, of course, is a state-championship threat in both jumping events.

Roskop and Watts probably will be vying for a state shot-put title: “It’s great to have that competition every day,” Roskop said.

Evans is shooting for 42 feet in the shot put: “It only takes one throw, right?” she said.

“Now, we all have to stay locked in for the last week and a half.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com