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Middle, long distances look to be strengths for boys track team

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Members of the MFL MarMac high school boys track team are (left to right) Nick Larson, Kolton Matthews, Jamarr Tanniehill, Levi Ferguson, JT Stocker, Riley Doeppke, Alex McNally, Korby Keehner, Zach Trudo, Dylan Corlett, JP Murphy and Spencer Rose. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

This year’s MFL MarMac boys track team is a smaller squad than in years past, but a combination of experienced runners, new faces and hard work should make the group exciting to watch, said head coach Dan Anderson.

2017 is Anderson’s 11th year at the helm, and he’ll be joined by second-year assistant Kyle Kirkestue.

The team’s biggest strength, said Anderson, will be at the middle and long distances.

“We are returning several middle distance and long distance runners from last year’s squad,” he noted. “Kolton Matthews, in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter, is a three-year varsity runner and continues to improve. Riley Doeppke (senior), Levi Ferguson (junior) and Dylan Corlett (sophomore) were three of our top middle distance runners from last year and should be the leaders of our squad this season.”

Anderson said the team has a lot of new faces and young runners.

“We need to figure out where they are going to fit into our lineup to score us the most points,” he shared. “I’m excited to see where many of our new members fit into the puzzle, but it may take a couple weeks before we’ve got it figured out.”

The team’s top sprinter from last year, Bryce Burke, has graduated, as have two good shot put and discus throwers, Mason Doyle and Tyson Dolan. Anderson said he’s looking for guys to fill those spots.

Senior Nick Larson and sophomore Korby Keehner, who Anderson said are continually improving, will compete at shot put. 

Senior Alex McNally, who took off last year, has returned and will be one of the team’s top sprinters.

JP Murphy, a senior, is out for track for the first time, and Anderson said he’ll be counted on in both sprints and middle distance.

“We’re excited to add sophomore Zach Trudo to our team this year,” Anderson added. “He is expected to compete as one of our top middle distance/long distance runners and be an important part of some of our relays.”

Freshmen JT Stocker (sprinter/hurdler), Jesse Breuer (long distance) and Tyler Kurth (sprinter/discus) should also be promising contributors this year, Anderson noted.

“We won’t be filling all the events this season,” he said, “but hope that we will be scoring points in the events that we have athletes in.”

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