Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters

Ankeny Centennial’s Elijah Porter hands off to Connor Welsch during the 4×200 relay in last year’s Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake Stadium. Porter and Welsch are among the 16 returning state qualifiers for the Jaguars. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys’ track team.

“This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early,” said Centennial coach Nate Smith. “The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it.”

The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year’s Class 4A state meet with seven points. There are 16 state qualifiers back from that squad.

Senior Connor Welsch is part of a talented group of sprinters. He placed sixth in the 100 in 11.17 seconds.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Max Snyder competes in the 100 at last year’s Jim Duncan Invitational. Snyder is part of a deep and talented group of sprinters for the Jaguars. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)**

Fellow seniors Lawson Langford, Elijah Porter and Max Snyder are also back. Langford took 21st in the 200 and teamed up with Porter, Snyder and Welsch for a fifth-place finish in the 4×100 relay.

Juniors Braeden Jackson and Caleb Reed are among the other returning sprinters. Jackson teamed up with Porter, Langford and Snyder for a 12th-place finish in the 4×200 relay, and he joined Reed on the 14th-place distance medley relay.

“We have many returners back with big meet and state-meet experience,” Smith said.

Cael Woods, Mark Nelson, Drake Dittmar and Cole Pieper are all back from the 17th-place shuttle hurdle relay. Dittmar also joined Porter, Snyder and Langford on the state-qualifying sprint medley relay.

Ankeny Centennial’s Lawson Langford hands off to Braeden Jackson during the 4×200 relay at last year’s Class 4A state meet. They helped the Jaguars to a 12th-place finish in the event. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Senior AJ Schermerhorn leads a solid cast of distance runners. The Iowa State recruit placed 18th in the 3,200 and 16th in the 1,600 as a junior, then took fifth in the Class 4A state cross country meet last fall.

Aammin Hassan, Brayden Vander Wilt and Corbin Vander Weerdt all ran on the 16th-place 4×800 relay. Hassan also anchored the distance medley relay.

“The distance crew has been working together all winter, and that group has shown they’re ready for the season,” Smith said. “AJ and Brendan (Owens) have been great leaders for the group.”

Seniors Blaine Sandquist and Zech Howe are the other returning state qualifiers. Sandquist placed 15th in the discus.

Ankeny Centennial’s AJ Schermerhorn competes in the 3,200 at the Iowa State Indoor meet on March 7 at Ames. Schermerhorn is one of the state’s top returning distance runners. (Photo courtesy of Travis Squires)

The Jaguars competed in a pair of indoor meets last week. They set multiple new indoor school marks in the Iowa State Indoor meet on March 7 at Ames.

“There have been some big PRs early with Vander Wilt in the 1,600 along with Porter and Woods in the sprints and hurdles,” Smith said. “Max Dickinson had a nice mark (47-2) in the shot put at ISU.”

Centennial will open its outdoor season by competing in the Early Bird Relays on March 28 at Waukee Northwest. Smith said the Jaguars will be looking to peak at the end of the season.

“We want to have our best times and marks in May,” Smith said. “We want to stay healthy and have fun. This is a pretty good senior class. They know what it takes, and they want to bring the best show in May.”