First and foremost, being a huge Track geek, I’ll write today about the Crown Jewel of Spring Splendor (of course I’m biased; but it’s my column).

With a record number of young men out this season, Coach Kruzich’s boys program is once again proving to be a force in Class 1A. With only a handful of meets left before Districts, the Falcons have the State’s 2nd fastest Medley relay time, 3rd best 4x8 and are 15th in the 4x2 and 4x4. Sr. Brandon Fischer’s open 400 and 800 times rank him 2nd in both individual events. The big question? Where does Brandon run at Districts? He’s quite versatile but still only human (that was a serious question with some Neola-area boys I knew). Time will tell.

Coaches Milner and Wiedman have the gals hitting on all cylinders right now. They have depth, they have scoring coming from different places and they have a legitimate shot at making a lot of noise in Des Moines. So. Beth Hamling has qualified for Drake and sits at #4 in Class 1A right now in the 100. She is also 7th in the 200. Sr. Justine Olsen and Jr. Gina Assman are two of the top 400 runners in our class and Fr. Audrey Wiedman has surprised many on her way to a Top 10 ranking in the open 800. The 4x1 and 4x2 both sit at #4, the 4x4 and 4x8 are Top 13 and the Sprint Med currently has the best performance in the state thus far. Lots of options to say the least when it comes to Districts this year.

You read it here first; if the girls run up to their potential they will contend this year for a State title. Top 5 at least and if the breaks fall that weekend in favor of the Saintes, who knows.

All of this is pretty impressive – so far. The thing I love about District track is that – just like volleyball, football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, etc. – you had better bring your “A” game with you on the day of Districts. If not, regardless of what you did during the regular season, you stay at home. And missing out on what is the greatest State Championship of all to be a part of or witness (no disrespect intended; it's not just my opinion but the opinion of some present Falcons who have played in both the Championship FB contest and run at State) would be a crime.

The thing that kills me the most is the fact that both of these squads truly do it all with smoke (hard work) and mirrors (tradition). Imagine the football, basketball or baseball teams competing for State titles with no field or court. You couldn't imagine it because it couldn't happen. But the track teams - 50+ combined varsity athletes and over 110 when the Jr. High is added - are the most creative and dedicated bunch I've seen. To do what they do with literally nothing but the will to get faster/better is probably the biggest accomplishment they will have in their prep careers.

So best of luck to the track teams as they really gear up and gear down for their shot at State. You deserve all the good things that will happen to you.