Joe Wilkinson

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.

“I’m so excited for the kids.”
– Solon coach Emy Williams.
“We wanted to do it for Emy.”
–Solon runner Erin Kerkhoff.

SOLON– When both parties are that excited, something good has to happen. As results went up near the finish line of the Oct. 20 Class 3A state-qualifying cross country meet, it became official. Solon’s girls will be in the starting box at the 2016 state meet.

TROY MILLS– Expect a crowd at North Linn every year.
The October cross country meet features hundreds of runners– 25 schools provide entries on the boys side, with 22 represented in the girls competition. And there are just as many fans packed around the course, threading around and through the rural Troy Mills athletic fields, school buildings and woods.
“The crowd is crazy; people yelling. There is some pushing as the pack tries to get sorted out; to try to stay ahead of somebody,” recalled Solon sophomore Jorel Justus of his first trip around the course.