BOYS TRACK: Three Wolverine events make state track

Nodaway Valley’s boys track and field team is excited to have three events that qualified for the state track meet through a Class 1A state qualifying meet that was Thursday at Madrid.

“Coming in [to the season] I knew we’d be good in the throws with Trent and some mid-distance and distance. We’re trying to bring up the sprinters a little,” NV head coach Brett Welsch said of the season.

Senior thrower Trent Warner qualified in two field events while freshman Gabe Winkelmann showcased his ability by qualifying in a distance race.

Warner won both field events he was in, setting a new season best distance in shot put with a winning heave of 56-11. He won the discus with a throw of 155-06.

“I think what helped Trent is he could focus on the throws this year [as a senior]. Before, he was always wrestling and that was taking a lot of his time, which is fine. But, this year he’s really been able to go up to his coach in Waukee and focus on his throws. That’s been tremendous,” Welsch said. “I think during his senior year he was pretty motivated to get the school discus record, and he now has them both. It was his last hoorah.”

Winkelman qualified for the state meet in the 3200-meter run with a runner-up finish in the event in a time of 10:35.95. Only winners automatically qualify, so Winkelmann’s time made the cut as one of the next 12 best times in the state to fill the 24-man field.

“I think Gabe hit a peak there mid-season. We demand a lot but try to keep his health in mind. What I’ve noticed about Gabe is he was 81st in cross country last fall and now he’s top-24 in the 3200. They’re different races, but he’s made a big gain,” Welsch said. “I think he knows lifting weights [has helped] and he’s gotta get stronger. For a freshman, girls can come in and make an impact, but that’s tough for a boy. Gabe made a good impact.”

Winkelmann ran to a runner-up time of 4:52.22 in the 1600m with teammate Luke Kading taking third (4:52.95).

NV had a pair of top-5 relays in the 4x800 (Haden Colton, Keyin Steeve, Paul Kading and Luke Kading) that placed third in 9:04.95 and the distance medley (Erik Jensen, Titan Foster, Harris and Winkelmann) that finished in 3:54.74.

Nodaway Valley senior Eli Harris was 10th in the 400m hurdles in 1:02.64.

There were three other season bests at the meet. The 4x400m relay team of Jensen, Steeve, Foster and Harris was fifth, setting a season best time of 3:51.82. Caleb Christensen set a season best of 12.46 in the 100m dash, finishing 16th. Lastly, Cheribum Mercado placed 17th, running a season-best time of 2:31.90 in the 800m run.