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Seven Bear-Hawks running for City High
by Norv and Mary Coblentz · News · August 25, 2016
The City High Cross Country program has a strong record of success, and West Branch has seven harriers on the team for the 2016 season.
Sophomore Clare Muckler is the team’s only female runner from West Branch. “(She) should compete for (a) possible varsity spot,” City High Girls’ Head Coach Thomas Mittman said.
There are 76 girls on the team this year, and as always, a big concern is “staying healthy.”
“City High Girls Cross Country has always prided itself in having large numbers of participants and encouraging runners of all abilities,” Mittman said. “We strive to have all contribute to a winning attitude and the belief that each teammate needs to push those in front and pull those in back.
“This year’s team appears ready to continue this tradition that has led to 28 consecutive State Meet appearances, 11 State Championships, nine runners-up finishes, and two third-place finishes during that stretch.”
There are even more runners on the boys’ cross country team for the Bear-Hawks, including six from West Branch. West Branch runners are senior Jordan Baldwin, juniors Will Martin and John Muckler, sophomore Keegan Sotelo, and freshmen Barrett Walsh and Nathan Swisher-Hintz.
“Most of the West Branch boys have been running this summer on their own or with the team at City High,” City High Boys’ Head Cross Country Coach Jayme Skay said. “They are a great group of boys.”
There are around 90 athletes on the 2016 City High boys’ cross country team, one of the largest groups in the school’s history.
“Coming off a 12th-place finish at State in 2015, they are poised to compete to be one of the top teams in the state this season,” Skay said. The varsity team will be loaded with experienced runners including Mississippi Valley Conference first-team award winner Matthew Dodge and MVC honorable mention runner Michael Taylor.
“This year’s team has many strong runners, and they look to dominate at (the) fresh/soph, junior varsity, and varsity levels,” Skay said.
The Iowa Assoc. of Track Coaches on Tuesday released its list of preseason rankings, placing Class 4A City High boys’ team No. 9 in the state, and the girls team No. 2.
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