Bombers Shine at State; Champions Crowned

Ballard Scores 16.5 Team Points

May 19, 2024

Des Moines, IA -- The Ballard men's track team made an impressive showing at the state track meet, showcasing their talent and determination with record-breaking performances and top placements across various events.

Sophomore Stetson Kane kicked off the individual events with a strong performance in the 110m hurdles, finishing 11th with a time of 15.46 seconds. Senior Eli Rouse competed in the 200m dash, placing 20th with a time of 23.06 seconds.

In the 400m dash, the Bombers had two standout performances. Senior Jameson Witt placed 12th with a time of 50.80 seconds, while fellow senior Chance Lande broke a long-standing school record with a remarkable time of 49.96 seconds, securing 8th place. Lande's performance shattered a record that had stood since 1995, marking a significant milestone in Ballard track history.

Freshman Parker Miller made his mark in the high jump, achieving a personal record (PR) of 6-3 to finish 8th. Sophomore Chase Ihle competed in the long jump, placing 22nd with a jump of 18-8.

The Bombers' relay teams also delivered exceptional performances. The Sprint Medley team, consisting of Eric Sydnes, Sid Farmer, Eli Rouse, and Chance Lande, narrowly missed out on a higher placement, finishing 9th by just 0.004 seconds with a new school record time of 1:33.83. The Shuttle Hurdle team of Kiir Wol, Stetson Kane, Aidan Wilson, and Chase Ihle clocked a season-best time of 1:02.36, earning 9th place. This team, comprising a junior, sophomore, freshman, and sophomore, demonstrated great potential for future competitions.

The 4x800 relay team of Dillon Shoen, Jameson Witt, Jakson Fleischmann, and Chance Lande set a new school record with a time of 8:01.80, finishing in an impressive 4th place.

The highlight of the meet for the Bombers came in the 4x400 relay. The senior team of Jameson Witt, Jakson Fleischmann, Eli Rouse, and Chance Lande claimed the state championship title with a winning time of 3:19.93. This victory was a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

The Ballard Bombers men's track team's performance at the state meet was a showcase of individual excellence and team spirit, with several new school records set and a state championship title earned. Their achievements reflect the strength and determination of each athlete and set a high standard for future Bombers to aspire to.

Comments from Head Coach Darren Herrold

"Truly an amazing end to a wonderful season. Strong placing in four events at state, and all competitors and relays performed remarkably. The highlight was a state title in the 4x400 by our senior leaders of Jamison Witt, Jakson Fleischmann, Eli Rouse, and Chance Lande. These four amazing seniors set a goal in February to win it all in the 4x400. Mission accomplished. Their work ethic and attitude have built upon a solid foundation of our Ballard Men's Track Program. These four seniors and our fifth senior, Caleb Sparks, have set a new standard for our program. The underclassmen are now eager to follow in their footsteps and return to the state meet in numerous events.

All the Ballard coaches are proud of our track athletes and how our program ended the season. It's time to take some time off from track, but everyone is anxious for the 2025 season to start. On behalf of the coaches, I want to thank our parents and supporters for a memorable 2024. Most importantly, I want to thank the heart of our program—our athletes—for their attitude and desire to improve each and every day."

TEAM SCORES (TOP 10)

1. Western Dubuque, 72

2. ADM, 71

3. Pella, 48

4. Central DeWitt, 42

5. Solon, 38

6. Clear Creek-Amana, 37

6. Center Point-Urbana

8. Bishop Heelan, 35

9. Williamsburg, 26

10. Harlan, 25

17. Ballard, 16.5