For the second consecutive year, Iowa’s Class 1A state discus title was decided by the same two throwers: Northwood-Kensett’s Tom Yezek and Wapsie Valley’s Jake Goeller.

Last year, Yezek was in first place through the first five rounds with a toss of 157-7. On Goeller’s last throw, he heaved the disc 168-2 to take gold, and Yezek took silver.

The tables turned this year.

After Goeller took the lead with his first throw of 171-2, Yezek overtook the top spot on his third throw.

Yezek became the state champion with a personal-best toss of 172-4 Friday at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines.

“It was eerie how similar it was compared to last year,” said Northwood-Kensett head coach Dave Capitani. “That made this year that much more gratifying when Tom was able to hold him off.”

For the last three years, Yezek’s throwing coach has been

Brendan Ehlke.

“I’d like to thank my coach,” said Yezek. “He’s helped me all the way through.”

Ehlke passed on techniques taught by his high school coach at St. Ansgar, Rich Sherman.

“He’s been getting me to try to step through and pull through,” Yezek said. “We go through the form together, and it came together today.”

The Northwood-Kensett boys’ and girls’ track and field teams qualified for the state meet in a combined 12 events.

“It was great to see my teammates and all the work they do starting to pay off,” Yezek said. “Rewarding is the best way to put it.”

 

Relay team leads team on Day 1

The Vikings competed in two boys’ and girls events Thursday on Day 1 of the three-day state meet.

Sully Reyerson completed the 200-meter dash prelims in 23.89 seconds to take 22nd place, and the 4×100-meter shuttle-hurdle relay team of Jalin Davis, Cade Tindall, Coleby Bratrud and Reyerson took seventh in 1:01.65.

On the girls’ side, Hattie Davidson took 17th in the 200 with a time of 27.51, and Shelby Low finished 18th in the long jump with a leap of 15-1 1/4.

 

Vikings compete in 6 events on Day 2

Along with Yezek’s state-champion discus throw on Friday, the Vikings participated in three other boys’ and girls events.

Sully Reyerson finished sixth in the 110-meter hurdles to qualify for finals. The 4×200 relay team of Josh Einertson, Bratrud, Mason Olson and Scott Hengesteg took 10th in 1:33.88, and the 4×400 relay team of Einertson, Bratrud, Caleb Kliment and Hengesteg took seventh in 3:30.75.

The 4×200 relay team of Ashlyn Schaefer, Mackenzie Duvall, Davidson and Terran Haberman took 16th in 1:50.90, and the 4×400 relay team of Calli Christiansen, Ashlyn Schaefer, Mackenzie Duvall and Davidson took 18th in 4:22.02. Dusti Bratrud finished 20th with a toss of 90-6.

Look for Saturday’s results in Monday’s Tribune.