Loes' recovery, experience gained are State highlights

     What does a runner do when he is tripped and falls early in a 3,200-meter race?

     If he’s Aaron Loes, he simply gets up, runs faster to get back in the race, and earns a medal.

     Loes’ fifth place finish in the 3,200, and another fifth place in the 1,600 two days later, were among the highlights for the Monticello Panthers at the State Class 2A Boys Track and Field Meet Thursday through Saturday, May 18-20 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

     He scored all eight points for the team, which finished in a tie for 28^th place.

     The 3,200 took place Thursday afternoon. Loes went around the first turn mid-pack, then got tangled with another runner on the backstretch and went down.

     Since it was past the 100-meter span in which the race could be stopped and a recall announced, the race simply continued.

     “There was a guy that cut in front of me, and I just kind of got my feet messed up, and went down,” Loes said shortly after the race. “I wasn’t going to be too worried about it. I just wanted to put myself back in the race and not let that affect me. I was just trying to score points for the team.”

     Loes not only got back in the race, he was with the lead pack with two laps to go, before winding up fifth, in a time of 9 minutes, 36.59 seconds.

     “Aaron ran the fastest 3,200 by a junior in our track history, after being tripped and falling to his knees,” Monticello coach Greg Williams said. “It was a great, gutsy effort on his part.”

     Loes came back to finish third in the 1,600 on Saturday, while Tyler Hospodarsky had a career best time while finishing 14^th.

     “It was a great way for Tyler to end his track career,” Williams said.

     Avery Martensen competed in two events at State, finishing 12^th in the 110 high hurdles and tying for 16^th in the high jump.

     “Those are two of the hardest events to compete in at the state meet. Avery competed very well in both. And he was one of only two sophomores to make it in the 110s,” Williams said.

     The 4x200 team of Max Keleher, Gavin Cooper, Andrew Mescher and Taylor Manternach finished ninth, and the 4x100 was 14. The distance medley relay team was disqualified.

     “Our guys in the 4x100 and 4x200 gained valuable experience competing at the state meet,” the coach said.

     “Overall it was a positive experience for our athletes. With all but three returning, the future is very exciting for next year.”

May 18-20

State Class 2A Meet

(at Drake Stadium,

Des Moines)

MONTICELLO EVENTS

     3,200: 5, Aaron Loes, 9:36.59.

     High jump: 16(tie), Avery Martensen, 5-10.

     110 hurdles: 12, Avery Martensen, 15.45.

     4x200: 9, Monticello (Max Keleher, Gavin Cooper, Andrew Mescher, Taylor Manternach), 1:33.70.

     Distance medley: Monticello was disqualified.

     4x100: 14, Monticello (Max Keleher, Andrew Tjaden, Andrew Mescher, Taylor Manternach), 44.93.

     1,600: 5, Aaron Loes, 4:29.33; 14, Tyler Hospodarsky, 4:36.11.