Garden Plain boys primed for repeat
Garden Plain has long prided itself on its football tradition.
Coach Todd Puetz has established that with strings of victories and bringing a winning attitude to the program. Now it's starting to rub off on his spring job, track and field.
The Owls doubled up on the boys competition in winning the Class 3A title. With the majority of the points returning, they once again are favorites.
"We have quite a few seniors out," Puetz said. "Anytime you have that big of number, it helps you out. It makes those other guys want to work harder. Having Kurt doesn't hurt, either."
That would be senior Kurt Pauly, the defending state champion in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races, as well as a member of the title-winning 400 relay team.
"He's such a smooth runner," Puetz said. "He makes it look easy. He does a great job of running relaxed and he works hard in practice. He has one of those strides you can't coach."
Pauly's specialty has been the 400 — he hasn't lost a race since the beginning of his sophomore year — so the shorter sprinting titles came as a surprise. Not that Pauly is ready to give them up.
"I want to repeat in everything," said Pauly, who signed to run at Nebraska next year. "I want to defend everything. But there are fast guys and there's a very good possibility I will be beat in either the 100 or 200. But my main goal is to stay focused and keep improving in the 400."
Last year, Pauly's 40 points would have been good enough to win the team title himself. But he'll have plenty of help this season.
Blake Withrow and Jake Mullens return from the 400 relay squad. Withrow also competes in jumps, as will Brice Haukap, and Mullens in hurdles.
Daniel Youngers and Braden Eck will be competitive in the throws this season and Sage Thimmesch should contend for a state title in the pole vault.
Before last season, Garden Plain had last won a state title in 1980. There hasn't been much of a tradition. Puetz is working on changing that.
"I know these guys wanted to win a state title in football and I know they have those same goals in track," Puetz said.