2012 4A Track

[TD-BOMBS]

Cedar Falls looks for a repeat. Anyone be able to contend with them?

 

[Fibber McGhee]

TD,

There's going to be some parity this year in 4-A. It won't be easy for anyone this season. I will say that Cedar Falls will need help from their distance crew this year to get it done. They do have the potential to get that help but the distance events are going to be so tough to score in. High Jump and Shot Put could be huge for CF. They lack long jumpers and hurdlers so far.

CF will have their hands full with the across the board depth/balance of WDM-Valley. They lack jumpers at the moment but that could change. Otherwise, they will score a lot of points.

Dowling will score a lot of points from 800 on up. Those kids are in great shape and can handle a lot of events over a 3 day meet. If they get any help from sprints and field events, they will be in the hunt. Haven't seen it yet but if you remember what Pleasant Valley did a few years ago, they might not need a lot of help. They also have a tendency to have sprinters show up late in the season. Soccer defections?

Others on the fringes:

Iowa City West is lurking in the weeds. If a few key people arrive after spring break, look out...They have talented athletes that are starting to believe it's ok to be multi-sport athletes and have the state trophies to prove it this year.

CR Washington is re-loading and is an X-factor at the moment. They do have a good nucleus of state experience to build around. When April 12th rolls around (end of academic penalty)watch their sprints.

Waukee has a nice group of kids and is balanced. Same with SE Polk and DM Roosevelt. Both have nice athletes with lots of potential. City High and Linn-Mar have some real nice looking athletes too that could/will make some noise by the end of the season as well.

I haven't mentioned some schools with some good athletes but as far as the overall team score goes, I think these are the ones with the greatest potential based on returning athletes and results so far this young season.

But again, when it comes to making finals and scoring,it's going to be tough for a lot of teams to claim favorites this year at least for awhile. Those who have a hammer in individual events with some team depth for support will prevail. Don't make your guess after Drake. Wait until after state qualifying. The changes there will also add a new twist to the state team picture.

This is an interesting contrast to what can happen in the smaller classes with fewer athletes qualified. But that's what you get with larger populations in 48 schools. Close "team" races. Overall though, the state of track and field and the coaching at all levels has shown a marked increase in the years since the start of the Co-Ed state meet. Don't know if there is any correlation there or even if it's a good thing but it doesn't hurt to get everyone together and feed off of each others great performances.

Check out the true team Power Rankings on the IATC site. This will be automated and fun for fans and spectators if the coaches will participate. It's based on what is in QuickStats but measures team depth on one day at each individual meet. Again, it's up to the coaches to enter their athlete's performances. The indoor results that are in there now will be updated as the outdoor season commences with a full compliment of events.

Hope this helps with the 4-A Boys picture.