A glimpse of the future

The Creston boys track and field season officially came to a close Thursday with the Panthers’ end of the season banquet.

Head coach Pat Schlapia extended his gratitude and thanks to all involved with making the season possible, including his assistant coach Steve Birchard for all the help he had in assisting a young Panthers team.

Schlapia handed out medals to those who placed in the final meet of the season for the Panthers, the state qualifying meet.

Medals were given to the 4x100 (Keagan Smith, Ethan Freeman, Lucas Veatch, Luke Tebbenkamp), 4x200 (Hank Looney, Chris Wells, Freeman, Tebbenkamp), 4x400 (Wells, Looney, Erick Rodriguez, Cael Kralik) and sprint medley relays (Looney, Wells, Rodriguez, Kralik).

Medals were awarded for the long jump (Rodriguez), 100 meter (Kralik) and 200 meter dash (Kralik) runners.

Letters were also awarded to those that came out for track with Wells, Rodriguez, Veatch, Chris Wilson and Luke Tebbenkamp winning letters as freshmen.

Freeman, Kralik, Smith and Trembly earned their second varsity letter of their track and field career as well. Graduating senior Hank Looney earned his third letter as the longest tenured member of the team. Looney, who leaves for the armed forces Tuesday, was given praise from Schlapia for his commitment to the team and playing a leadership role.

Kendall Crawford also earned his first varsity letter as a senior.

Looney, along with Crawford, earned senior recognition awards for their work done in their final year with the program.

As a small team that has done the best it could to make things work in its favor, Schlapia believes if the young core that was displayed this season sticks around there could be more to come.

“Things are growing,” said Schalpia. “Like coach (Birchard) says, stick together on us. We’ve got a good thing happening. .... We want you guys back and we want to add more to it.

“Each step you guys have made some growth and we’re pretty proud of you guys on that. We’ve got a good thing going here. Stick with it,” said Schalpia.

The head coach echoed their mantra “Train on black to run on blue,” a tip of the cap to Drake’s blue oval being the endgame for the track and field season.

Schlapia knows the road is long and challenging as his team missed opportunities to compete there by inches and seconds over the last few seasons.

The close calls has made the drive to make it back even more of an emphasis each season.

“It’s time to get back up on that blue,” said Schlapia. “... We want to get up to Drake Univeristy and run state on that. Doesn’t matter if its 95 degrees, rain or snow. We want to be up there.”

Schlapia added that he and Birchard are immensely proud of the boys that competed all season, saying that they’re a team to brag about for what they’ve been able to do on and off the track.

Before parting for the end of the season, Schlapia left the team with one last word of advice entering the summer.

“Don’t do stupid stuff.”

Letterwinners – Hank Looney (3), Ethan Freeman (2), Cael Kralik (2), Keagan Smith (2), Keagan Trembly (2), Kendall Crawford (1), Erick Rodriguez (1), Luke Tebbenkamp (1), Lucas Veatch (1), Chris Wells (1), Chris Wilson (1).

Participation Award – Damien Beard.

Senior Awards – Hank Looney, Kendall Crawford.