Submitted photo: Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond boys track team are, front row (left to right): Aidan Reel, Erik Larson and Aaron Hindt. Back: Jonah Carlson, Anthony Valles and Grant Galles.

A new, yet very familiar, face is at the helm for the St. Edmond boys track and field program this spring.

Mike Szalat, the long-time cross country head coach and former baseball leader, will handle the Gaels on the track. A five member-senior class will lead the way.

“Being able to spend more time with the family was the main reason for retiring from baseball, but (during the school year), it would either go home and wait for my wife, Jenni, to get off work or stay at school and do something I’m passionate about, which is coaching.

“I care about the track and field program at St. Edmond, and want to see it get back to what it was like in previous years. We need to build it back up and that will take time, but I’m dedicated to making this a long-term fit.”

Anthony Valles, a multi-time state cross country qualifier, returns after competing in the Class 1A and 3,200 races at state last year after running in both the 1,600 and 3,200 as a sophomore.

Senior Grant Galles, who helped St. Edmond capture the 1A state basketball title just a few short weeks ago, also returns with state relay experience. Junior Aaron Hindt ran in the 100, 200 and on the 4×400 relay alongside Valles and Galles at state.

“We have some really strong kids coming back and it will be up to us coaches to determine the best of them,” Szalat said. “Maybe that’s putting them in individual events and maybe it is putting together relays. We’ll be testing things out — especially early in the season — as I get an idea of what they can do and we see what they are comfortable doing.”

Rounding out the roster will be seniors Jonah Carlson, Jack McElroy and Jonah Mosier; juniors Erik Larson and Aiden Reel; sophomore Jack Webster; and freshmen Keenan Isaacson, Aiden Lopez and Gordon Seeden. McElroy, also a starter on the basketball team, will split time between golf and track.

“It’s a big learning curve compared to coaching cross country,” Szalat said. “There are a variety of events. Honestly, coaching track and field might be the most difficult position there is because of all the different events.”

Valles, Carlson, Larson, Reel, Barwin and Seeden were all varsity regulars in cross country for Szalat.

The schedule will feature yearly trips to Eagle Grove for the Umstead Relays, Manson for the Emily Markert Relays, and Webster City for the Lynx Invitational, along with the chance to run at Dodger Stadium for the Dodger Relays on April 13.

In May, St. Edmond will head to Hampton before competing in Algona at the North Central Conference championships. The state qualifier is scheduled for May 14 with the state track meet beginning a week later from Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

Szalat will be assisted by Eugene Carlson with Cory Naughton also helping out.

2026 ST. EDMOND BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Roster

Seniors — Jonah Carlson, Grant Galles, Jack McElroy, Jonah Mosier, Anthony Valles.

Juniors — Aaron Hindt, Erik Larson, Aidan Reel.

Sophomore — Jack Webster.

Freshmen — Keenan Isaacson, Aiden Lopez, Gordon Seeden.

Schedule

March 31 — at Earlham.

April 7 — at Umstead Relays in Eagle Grove; 9 — at Cowboy Relays in Clarion; 13 — at Dodger Relays in Fort Dodge; 16 — at Emily Markert Coed Relays in Manson; 21 — at Lynx Invitational in Webster City; 23 — at Hawk Relays in Jewell; 28 — at Cougar Relays in Manson.

May 1 — at Jim Basye Coed Relays in Hampton; 7 — at North Central Conference championships in Algona; 14 — at state-qualifying meet.