The Le Mars boys track and field team finished fourth as a team in their state qualifying meet in Sergeant Bluff on Thursday night. The program also has a guaranteed four events qualifying for state with more waiting to get in on a time basis.
It is the goal of every track team to reach personal and season records at the end of the season to show continual progression. Head coach Caleb Van Otterloo says he was happy to see that was the case for a lot of his athletes.
The Bulldogs’ only champion of the night came in the boys high jump where Wanding Hosnyang worked his magic once again. He jumped 6’6” with only one failed jump between 6’0” and 6’6”. He also attempted the school record of 6’8” but just missed out on clearing the bar there. Coach Van Otterloo could tell that Hosnyang was on another level as he was taking his jumps.
The Bulldogs also qualified Trace Obbink in the 800m run, but it was Jayden Nelson who was a key contributor on a pair of events. He ran a strong 400m dash to finish second and qualify for state, and Coach Van Otterloo says it was his leg of the 4x400m Relay that helped spark that team to a second-place finish to make it to state.
The Bulldogs are expecting more events to make it to state on an at-large time basis. Coach Van Otterloo says the main goal for the group is to continue to set personal records or season bests, and the rest should take care of itself.
The Bulldogs will compete at the 2024 state meet on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday May 16, 17, and 18 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
