Tomorrow is State Track & Field Qualifying Meet day throughout Iowa. Greene County goes to a Class 2A meet in Manson and Paton-Churdan travels to the 1A meet in Madrid. All meets are coed.

Greene County boys’ head coach Chad Morton encourages fans to go the Iowa High School Athletic Association website and buy your tickets in advance (the only way to buy them) because some of Iowa’s best, regardless of size of school, will be performing. That list includes OABCIG (Ida Grove) senior Cooper Dejean, a U. of Iowa football recruit, who won the long jump at the Drake Relays last month, and was third in the 100 meter dash. “Our meet is going to be fun to watch. Most events are going to be competitive.” About Dejean, Coach Morton said, “He is a phenomenal athlete and he’ll be favored in whatever he’s in, but there are other great competitors, too.”

Greene County boys have the fastest time this season among 2A programs, according to the statistics website Varsity Bound. Nate Black, Jaxon Warnke, Bryce Stalder, and Jackson Morton make up that quartet. Morton is a strong contender in both the 110 meter high hurdles and 400 meter low hurdles. Stalder is one of just six 2A athletes to have topped 22 feet in the long jump this season, and Nate Black in the high jump, Josh Ewalt in the discus throw, Logan Woodruff in the 3,200 meters, and the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 meter relays are other strong events for the Rams.

Coach Derek Merk’s girls have a half dozen events they feel are strong contenders for State qualification and we’ll hear from Coach Merk tomorrow on the Sports Page.