It won’t be easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys’ cross country team to replace standout runner AJ Schermerhorn.
But if the Jaguars want to earn another trip to the Class 4A state meet, they’ll have to find a way.
Schermerhorn was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time placewinner who helped Centennial to 14th-place finishes in Class 4A in 2021 and 2023. He placed 12th as a junior, then capped off his career with a fifth-place finish last year in a time of 15 minutes 37 seconds.
Schermerhorn, who placed fifth or higher at every meet as a senior, set a school record of 15:13 while winning the Cedar Rapids Kennedy Invitational last September. He is now competing for Iowa State.
“I think the team really learned from AJ,” said Centennial coach Chad Fickbohm, whose squad is 14th in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. “Not just how to train and race but how to be leaders for the team. He set such a good example I think they will build on what they learned and find their own style of leadership. They also have seen how much you can improve with hard work and dedication so they are excited to see what the season holds for the team.”
Fickbohm will also have to replace Brendan Owens, who placed 78th at last year’s state meet. He is now running for Wartburg College.
However, Centennial returns four of the other five varsity regulars. Seniors Mark Nelson, Sean Thomas and Brayden Vander Wilt are back along with junior Cohen Moll.
Moll came on strong at the end of last season. He placed 10th in a Class 4A district meet, then took 70th at the state meet in 16:40.
Vander Wilt was the team’s No. 2 runner for most of last year. He placed 10th at the Indianola Invitational, where he helped the Jaguars to a third-place finish.
Vander Wilt took 12th at the district meet as Centennial placed second to qualify for state. He then finished 89th at the state meet in 16:58.
Nelson placed 100th for the Jaguars in 17:04. Thomas finished 112th in 17:12.
There are 50 runners on the squad, including Jack Behrens and Corbin Vander Weerdt. They both saw some varsity action a year ago.
“We have a solid core,” Fickbohm said. “The experience last year really helped focus offseason training that helped them have a nice track season. We have a good number of runners that are looking forward to seeing a big improvement over last cross country season.”
Moll, Vander Weerdt and Vander Wilt all ran on the Jaguars’ 13th-place 4×800 relay at the state track meet last spring. Nelson ran on the 11th-place shuttle hurdle relay.
Without Schermerhorn, Fickbohm said it will be even more important for his team to run as a pack.
“We have talked about that quite a bit,” he said. “We are going to learn how to race as this team stays focused on executing and refining throughout the season. We know how tough the state is, and we are excited to get in the mix.”
The Jaguars will open the season by hosting the Centennial Invitational at DMACC on Tuesday, when the temperatures could soar into the 90s. However, the mild weather thus far in August has allowed Fickbohm’s team to make a lot of progress.
“The practices have been going well,” he said. “It’s really hard to beat this weather we have had. The guys have put in a great summer and also spent time with families and camps. It’s nice to have so many great kids that are involved in helping people.”
Centennial is seeking its fourth trip to the state meet in the last five years. The state meet is slated for Nov. 1 at Fort Dodge.
“Of course, the goal is to get back to state as a team,” Fickbohm said. “We have a team that is very capable as we get better racing weekly. We know it won’t be easy. We are focusing on the daily details–the little things–and on every single team member being their best at the end of the season.”