Joe Wilkinson

DES MOINES– It’s a time-worn axiom; Time keeps slipping away. Good news, if you are the Solon girls track team, looking for ways to chip away at their times, just ahead of conference, district and the state coed track meets later this month.
With nine events qualifying for the century-plus old Drake Relays, it was hard to pick your favorite. But it was a great way to see how the team stacks up against not only Class 3A competition they’ll see at state but the best across the board, in the one-class Relays. A total attendance of 40,000 was announced.

SOLON– High School track in Iowa has two season highlights. As with other sports, there is the state championship– May 17-19 this year. But this weekend, the Drake Relays spotlights international, college and high school athletes showing their stuff in a track showcase with a century of tradition.
To qualify for Drake, Iowa high schoolers compete against the entire state, not just their school’s enrollment class, for the limited events offered. Solon descends on Drake’s Blue Oval with five relay teams and four individuals.

DES MOINES– Weather and track conditions were consistent through the weekend at the Drake Relays; cold, wet and windy. Solon’s girls responded, though, with highlight performances and others which still kept them near the top of the state’s high school track finishes, as they now head into their 2017 homestretch.
Drake is a late-season pause in the high school regular season. Top Iowa high school track and field performances share the limelight with regional and national college/university competition, special international elite events and Olympic rematches.

TIFFIN– The points came all through the lineup as Solon finished second in the Creek Classic girls’ track meet April 7 in Tiffin. The Spartans scored in 15 of 19 events, with three relay titles and a pair of individual event wins. “Solid; not spectacular,” summarized coach Brent Sands. “We had some pretty low times. We’re still not where we want to be.”

SOLON– A clear day, light southeast wind; with temperatures in the low 50s. It would be a great morning for a mid-autumn walk. Not so much for attracting geese to a picked corn field.
A small flock had worked the 30 decoys dotting the corn stubble west of nine layout blinds just outside Solon Oct. 23.
“Two geese were close enough for a shot, but we held up, thinking the group might circle once more,” explained Colton Dall.
It did not. Still, it was not a washout. A couple hunters worked a wooded creek, about 70 yards away, dropping a duck.