FMHS boys run at loaded A.D. Dickinson Relays

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

CEDAR FALLS - The 2019 version of the Bloodhound boys' track season got underway Tuesday at a loaded A.D. Dickinson Relays where the top runners in the state gathered to shake off the winter blues.

First year co-head Coach Chad Hannum said practice officially started February 19th and with those two weeks of practice under their belts the boys were eager to compete.

"The guys turned in some great times for their first races of the season. For some, this was their first meet at the varsity level. We saw a lot of good things at this meet," Hannum said. "Good starts out of the blocks, good hand-offs (to name a few) and most of all effort! The team has a great attitude and is willing to put in the work in practice. It’s going to be a fun track and field season.

HTC junior Matt Hellige, running in the Bloodhound's shared program, competed in the 3200 meter invitational run. Only the top 32 make the cut to run and Matt Hellige qualified and had the top finish of the day for Fort Madison finishing in 10:51.15 (28th of 60).

The 4x200 foursome was made up of three freshmen Jacob McGowan, Tate Johnson, and Gavin Wiseman, and one Junior Quinton Ross, all seeing first-time varsity action. Starting the race for the Hounds was McGowan who had a 26.17 split before handing to Johnson who ran a 26.54 second leg. Next was Wiseman at 28.54 who handed off to Ross 26.63 to run the final leg for a time of 1:48.43 (66th).

The 4 x 800 was next with Hayden Wolfe (freshman), Garrett Hannum (sophomore), Chay Smith (sophomore), and Miguel Trejo (Senior). Wolfe (2:36) ran the first leg followed by Hannum with a 2:16. Smith (2:48) ran the third leg with Trejo (2:48) running 4th. The team’s time was 10:28.04 - 62nd overall

Two seniors Dom Frantz and Trey Kuntz competed in 60-meter dash along with sophomore Calem MacLearn. Kuntz and MacLearn both finished in a time of 8.06 with Frantz running an 8.37.

Hellige again made the cut to run in the 1600-meter finishing with a time of 5:05.98 (36th).

Junior Quentin Schneider raced to a time of 55.77 (44th) in the 400 meter was up next. Freshman Andrew Schaefer turned in a solid 56.93 and Ross, running his first ever 400 finished with a time of 57.7.

For the open 200 meter, sophomore Brock Califf motored to a 25.23. Junior Michael Mosena ran a fast 25.62, and junior Gage Fullenkamp finished with a 27.25.

Hannum and Wolfe competed in their second 800 of the night. Hannum finished in 2:20.93 and Wolfe in 2:34.90.

The 4 x 400 team capped off the meet for the Hounds. The team consisted of Schneider (55), Mosena (56.34), and sophomore Bryce Britton ran a split of 65.8 with freshman Isaiah Miller brought it home in a time of 66.81 for a total time of 4:05.68 (51st).