—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla fort dodge boys RETURNING LETTERWINNERS are, front row (left to right): Omarion Myers-Zimmerman, Shawn Roberts, Zeke Pineda, Jordan Lessmeier. Back: Grant Behrens, Ty Adams, Hunter Richardson, Val Hensley. Not Pictured: Noah Daniel.

Kevin Astor likes what the Fort Dodge boys track team offers this season.

The Dodgers are packed with sprinters and field event participants.

There will also be plenty of tinkering and maneuvering in events with over 40 athletes in the rotation.

“Sprints are our strength right now,” said Astor, who is in his second year as Dodger head coach. “We are strong in the long jump as well with a few guys competing there.

“We are filling in some spots and figuring things out with the younger guys.”

Seniors Ty Adams, Grant Behrens, Val Hensley, Omarion Myers-Zimmerman, Zeke Pineda and Justin Krog are back for their final time.

Astor is hoping with the Dodgers depth in sprints and field events, that the Dodgers will be able to double up points in certain events.

“In the long jump and throws as well as sprints, we have two guys that can score,” Astor said. “Likely we can score twice in the high jump as well and that is what we are hoping for.”

Hensley will be a long sprinter for the Dodgers, while Richardson will run the 400. Pineda and Behrens will throw and Ty Adams will run middle distance.

Myers-Zimmerman will have his spring packed with events and will be a key in the long jump pit.

“He (Myers-Zimmerman) is a talented kid and is super involved,” Astor said. “He will compete in the long jump and other events. He is also out for soccer and the musical.

“He is a great young man.”

Sophomore Noah Daniel and junior Jordan Lessmeier will be two of the Dodgers top sprinters along with Lessmeier is also Fort Dodge’s top long jumper. Hensley is also a sprinter.

“Jordan is our best long jumper,” Astor said. “He’s already gone 10-feet and he’s really talented.”

Junior Shawn Roberts will run the half mile and classmate Aiden Scott looks to work his way into the varsity lineup with the discus.

Junior Drake Warland, who was one of Fort Dodge’s leading scorers on the basketball court, is out for track for the first time.

“Drake is new to track and is a great worker,” Astor said. “He knows how to compete. He’ll be in the high jump, sprints and 4×200.”

Junior Jamarius Gibbs-Green is also competing for the Dodgers.

“He has a lot of raw talent,” Astor said. “He is a great kid and will be able to run some events for us.”

Astor likes what he sees in his freshman class as well. Cael Hansen, Jayce Point, Zak Jorgensen, Sam Moser and Joe Constable have been strong early.

“I’ve been impressed with their efforts in the indoor meets,” Astor said. “We threw them to the wolves will all the upperclassmen.

“Sam will be a long sprinter and Joe is one of our top three throwers.”

Freshmen Mason Bolton and Tru McBride will compete in the high jump and some other events for the Dodgers.

Astor will be assisted by Andy Kavanaugh and former Dodger state champion Nik Moser, the school’s football coach.

2024 FORT DODGE

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Roster

Seniors

Ty Adams, Grant Behrens, Val Hensley, Justin Krog, Omarion Myers-Zimmerman, Zeke Pineda.

Juniors

Angel Gervacio, Jamarius Gibbs-Green, Jordan Lessmeier, Hunter Richardson, Shawn Roberts, Aiden Scott, Drake Warland.

Sophomores

Noah Daniel, Dalton Eckley, Taevon Feeley, Luke Fierke, Caiden Fraher, Hulices Gutierez, Tisyn Hook, Kauner Jensen, Hunter Kasperbauer, Jaxson Lowrey-Jones, Tytrell Mosley, Zane Rowe, Carter Short, Brennen Stickrod, Kian Sumpter, Nate Taylor.

Freshmen

Colin Appler, Mason Bolton, Jarred Chada, Joe Constable, Kellin Crouse, Korben Davis, Cael Hansen, Zak Jorgensen, Brandt Lawler, Tru McBride, Sam Moser, Jayce Point, Kyree Rochon, Dominic Stock.

Schedule

March 26 — at Nevada; 30 — at Des Moines East.

April 1 — at Boone; 4 — at Marshalltown; 8 — Dodger Relays; 13 — at Drake Stadium; 15 — at Norwalk; 22 — at Mason City; 25-27 — Drake Relays.

May 2 — at Ames (IAC Meet).