By Becky Walz,
The last time the South Winn boys’ track and field team competed was nearly two years ago, with five events competing at state after the Warriors were the Upper Iowa Conference runners-up.
While the Warriors weren’t able to see what last season would have brought when COVID-19 shut down spring activities, South Winn has seen quite the success in other athletic programs in the past year.
In his 18th season as head coach, Scott Conway will rely heavily on the achievements other athletics to push his squad. Joining Conway in coaching duties will be assistants Jason Ohrt, Ethan Adams and Darcy Einck.
Stepping in
“We are pretty deep in some areas with a nice mix of field and running events,” said Coach Conway. “We are going to need to find ways to use some of our juniors and seniors in races or events they aren’t used to. We can be competitive in nearly every event and have some talented young athletes that will help fill in gaps left by the classes of 2019 and 2020.”
There is no doubt that holes have been left by those who have graduated over the last two years, including several who had qualified for state as Warriors — Paul Hageman, Carter Wenthold, Jaron Todd, Noah Tieskoetter, Seth Greve, Abe Schmitt, Emmett Schwartzhoff, Gabe Sadler, Cayden Kleppe, Luke Davis, Quentin Hageman and Tony Hanson.
However, there is a strong nucleus who return with experience not only in other sports, but on the oval. Leading the way in 2021 will be seniors Cael Kuboushek, Collin Wiltgen, Dominic Sisneros, Ethan Luzum, Jacob Herold, JT Monroe, Shawn Israel, Toby Conway, Ty Jacobsen and Zach Taylor; juniors Chance Adam, Ethan Maldonado, Ethan Timp, Evan Bushman, Isaiah Kruckman, Logan Hageman, Nick Holien and Sam Conway.
Among those looking to fill those shoes are promising newcomers Lane Quandahl, Hunter Wagner, Keagen Streeter, Kyle Hageman, Chase Adam, Omar Flores, Abe Conway, Brady Ohrt, Bo Wansgness, Cody Meyer, Parker Timp and Brody Tieskoetter.
Overall outlook
Like everyone in Iowa, South Winn lost its entire track season in 2020. As a result, the freshmen and sophomores have never competed at the high school level in track. On the bright side, the Warriors have seen much success during summer, fall and winter sports which provided lots of opportunities for the guys on the team to gain experience and get a taste of success.
“That success of our other programs over the past year is one of our biggest strengths,” said Coach Conway. “Experience goes a long way in helping a program grow and succeed.”
While the Warriors look to contend for a top-three finish in the UIC, Coach Conway points to North Fayette Valley as the perennial favorite.
“I do think the title is going to be pretty wide open this year,” he added.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Warriors’ coach is figuring out how to maximize his athletes.
“Outside of our seniors, we haven’t had the chance to see these guys compete in track and field,” said Coach Conway. “With not going to any indoor meets, weather could be especially disruptive this season. It’s going to be an interesting and challenging year.”
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