Senior Carter Accola of the Ankeny boys’ track team is one of the state’s top hurdlers. He currently ranks second in Class 4A in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.40 seconds.
Accola placed fourth in that event at last year’s state meet. He also ran on the fifth-place shuttle hurdle relay, helping the Hawks to a third-place overall finish.
Here is some inside info on Accola:
How is the season going thus far?
So far, the season has been going great.
What has been the highlight for you?
I think the highlight for me was winning the Valley meet (on April 8) because I feel like most of the state has been doubting us so it felt great to prove some people wrong.
You set a school record when you won the 110 hurdles in 14.40 in the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational on March 27 at Brookings, S.D. Were you surprised that you ran so fast that early in the season?
I was not surprised that I ran a 14.40 that early in the season. If I remember correctly, I said last year I was going to come back much faster as I was not satisfied with my placement at the state meet.
I know you picked up a scholarship offer from South Dakota State the following week. Had you talked to the Jackrabbits’ coaches at that meet?
I went on a visit to SDSU the morning of the Ruth Marske and then ran my (race) a couple hours later.
Are you being recruited by any other schools, and have you received any other DI offers?
I’m also talking to UNI and plan to take a visit up there fairly soon.
Would you like to make a decision soon?
I will likely be making my decision within the next couple weeks.
I’m sure you’re excited to run in the Drake Relays later this week. What would that mean to you to win a Drake Relays flag?
I really don’t care that much for the Drake Relays, and I will not be running it as I have a minor strain. I will instead be focusing on being 100 percent for the state meet so I can help us win a team title.
Nicholas Gorsich of Linn-Mar (Marion) is the only athlete in the state to run a faster time than you in the 110 hurdles (14.38). Do you consider him to be your primary competition next month at the state meet?
I’m not really scared to run against Nicholas–I’ve ran against him many times, and I’m confident in my own abilities. At the end of the day, I’m just going to go run my race. I’ll give it my all and run a great time. Whether that places me first or second, I don’t really mind.
I know Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen has had you run the 400 hurdles as well. What do you think of that event, and do you think you can potentially score some points at the state meet in the 400 hurdles?
I don’t plan to run the 400 hurdles at the state meet. I really just ran it for fun. I did enjoy it, though. It was a great challenge and pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Your shuttle hurdle relay team has already ran a faster time (1:02.33) than you did at last year’s state meet. Do you think the team can contend for a state title?
I absolutely think our shuttle could contend. They’ve ran a 1:02 without me, and I think we have a very strong young group with two very promising freshmen in the likes of Sam Madsen and Hayden Carlson. At the end of the day, all of us are just going to go out and compete.
Ankeny also appears to be a contender for the overall crown in Class 4A. What will be the keys for the team to reach its ultimate goal?
Coach reminds us often not to worry about time and just win. If there is someone In front of you, chase them down.