By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]
Humboldt, Iowa — For the third time in as many seasons, Greg Wickett and the Humboldt High School boys’ track team have ended their regular season the same way: North Central Conference Champions.
A three-peat was concluded last night as the Wildcats stampeded through the competition and pulled away late to earn yet another North Central Conference crown.
“It’s still taking a while to sink in” said Wickett following his team’s performance Monday night. “You know the last couple of years the team race has been so close, we knew today was going to be tough, but the kids came through and I give 100% of the credit to them.”
The Wildcats received strong contributions up and down their line-up with the 4x800m relay team earning an upset victory, as well as Jamison Heinz edging out Samonte Bawden in the 100m dash. Bawden was ranked inside the top 10 in 3A in that race.
“We double placed, that was so great about [Monday] , everybody contributed and it was complete team win.”
Yesterday was the 84th running of the boys’ North Central Conference track championships and in that span Humboldt has won about 30% of them, with last night being the school’s 25th boys track conference championship.
The recent string of three in a row for Humboldt comes on the heels of Algona High School claiming eight straight which came to an end in 2016. The Wildcats haven’t looked back since.
Humboldt will enjoy both today and Wednesday off before traveling to Nevada, Iowa for a loaded State Qualifying meet with trips to Des Moines on the line.
“We’re going to rest” Wickett laughed, “we’ve got guys that are tired.”
Denny Pedersen will undoubtedly be one of the many who will need some extended rest. The senior ran three 400’s Monday night, including the final leg of the 1st place 4x400m relay team.
“I’ve been asking a lot from [Denny] and the team and now we’ve just got to maintain it, we’ll practice just enough to keep the legs going, but we are going to be full rest.”
But, Wickett exclaimed, three days is enough rest: “They’re young, they can handle it.”
State Qualifying track will begin at Nevada High School at 4:00 p.m., Thursday afternoon.