Athletic MFL MarMac boys track team sets sights high
Members of the MFL MarMac boys track team include (front, left to right) Iazyah Streicher, Karter Decker, Hunter Kugel, Wyatt Powell, Tristen Koehn, Bryce Radloff, Cody Moses, Carver Blietz-Bentien; (back) assistant coach Lukas Arenz, Brandon Christofferson, Callum Johnson, Cayden Ball, Colin Moses, Cullen McShane, Jacob Trudo, Victor Breuer, Cyrus Johnson, Josh Reichard and head coach Kyle Kirkestue. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
MFL MarMac has a young, but excited, boys track and field team this season.
“This is probably one of the most squirrelly groups I’ve had,” joked head coach Kyle Kirkestue, “but I like that they’re having fun.”
“Things have been going well,” he added. “It’s really good to be back, and once we get to that first meet, that’s when it’s going to really hit.”
Kirkestue described this year’s crew as one of the most athletic he’s seen.
“We’ve got the right kids out,” he noted.
That includes four seniors: Colin Moses, Cayden Ball, Jacob Trudo and Victor Breuer.
Moses was a surprise his sophomore season, hitting a long jump of 19 feet, 3.25 inches at districts, which was just shy of state qualification. That was the only time he’d participated in the long jump all season.
“So I have really high hopes for him this year. We’re going to get him out there jumping and hopefully he can keep improving that distance,” said Kirkestue.
In his sophomore season, Ball also came just short of the state meet in the 1600 meter run.
“He ran a 4:54 and some change, and he was probably two-tenths of a second from qualifying,” said the coach, who’s feeling good about Ball’s chances this time around.
Trudo will lead the Bulldogs in the shot put and discus.
“He is a guy who didn’t come out his sophomore year, but he’s back out and wants to end the year on a good note,” said Kirkestue.
Breuer could factor in a variety of running events. The coach labeled him one of the most unselfish members of the team.
“He is the kind of guy I can put in any race and know he’ll perform well for us. If I put him in the 800, he’s not going to buck. He’s going to be like, ‘Alright, coach, I’m going to go out there and give it 110 percent for you,’” Kirkestue remarked.
Another upperclassman Kirkestue anticipates will make an impact is Cullen McShane. The junior was one of the biggest assets on the MFL MarMac football team and should factor in the sprinting events.
Two sophomores aim to bolster the Bulldogs in the field events. Josh Reichard will throw the shot and discus, continuing previous success at the middle school level. Karter Decker will compete in the long jump and high jump, as well as the 100 and 200.
“He’s another kid I can put at almost any event and he’s going to do really well,” Kirkestue said of Decker. “He was also one of the faster guys on our football team, and I’m really glad he’s out.”
Kirkestue is also excited about the team’s talented freshman class, which makes up over half the participants.
Wyatt Powell and Tristen Koehn are among the fastest of the group and will run the 100, 200 and, possibly, the 400.
“I’m going to be able to plug them in anywhere I need a faster guy,” Kirkestue said.
Brandon Christofferson will be a key distance runner for the Bulldogs.
“He’s still a freshman, so he’s still developing, but I have a lot of high hopes for him,” shared the coach.
Of MFL MarMac’s events, Kirkestue said the most focus will be on the long jump, the mile and several relays, including the distance medley, 4x100 and 4x200.
“One of the biggest goals is to get at least three guys to qualify for state. I also want to finish at least top three in every meet we’re at,” he stated. “I feel we can achieve those goals pretty easily.”
The Bulldogs will kick off their season this Thursday, April 1, at Waukon.
