2015 SUMMER PREVIEW

May 2015

Pollard

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Phelps: Ain’t N

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Just getting startedJohnston star Brooke Wilmes is set to kick off her sophomore campaign | P. 26

PlusReplacing a legendbig shoes to fILl in Lansing | P. 29

www.caseys.com

F E A T U R E S

DRAKE RELAYS

18 Catch Him if You Can▶Gilbert’s Thomas Pollard reasserted his dominance at this year’s Drake Relays.

22 Ain’t Nothing but a Family Thing▶Kiana Phelps is one of the nation’s top discus throwers, but that’s nothing new in her family

SOFTBALL

26 She’s Only Just Begun▶Johnston’s Brooke Wilmes has the accolades of a seasoned veteran, but her career isn’t even half over yet.

BASEBALL

29 Replacing a Legend▶Kee High School baseball coach Jim Mauss isn’t intimidated by having to replace the legendary Gene Schultz.

Staff and Contacts

President...........................Rush Nigut (rush@sportsspotlight.com)Business Ops.....................John Streets (john@sportsspotlight.com)Programming Director.....Tony Atzeni (tony@sportsspotlight.com)Editor-in-Chief.................Tork Mason (editor@sportsspotlight.com)Sales Director....................Peter Tarpey (peter@sportsspotlight.com)Graphics............................Giuliana Lamantia (art@sportsspotlight.com)Marketing.........................Megan Leverenz (support@sportsspotlight.com)

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Departments

Be a Sport ▶What Makes a Good Coach? Mic’d Up ▶Arkansas heptathlete Alex GochenourSpotlight Performers of the MonthGTSB Student Athlete of the Month ▶Bryson Runge, Iowa City HighThe Bullpen ▶From the Ground Up: Former Drake star helping youthThe Month AheadWhere are They Now? ▶Adam Haluska, former Hawkeye and star track athlete

26JUST WARMING UP

Johnston shortstop Brooke Wilmes is ready to kick off her sophomore

season and lead the Dragons to another state championship

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May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 3

On the CoverPhoto courtesy of The Des Moines Register

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Think back to those days when you were playing flag football, AAU basketball, were traveling with your 16U soccer team, or were participating at any other level of sports on your way to adulthood.

Which coach do you remember the most and why? Was he/she understanding of your skill level, a screamer, or a teacher in the best sense of the word? Which coach provided you encouragement to make you better than you ever thought you could be?

Individuals respond differently to different personalities. Some athletes need a more forceful approach from their coaches, others respond better to more positive reinforcements.

But what traits do all “good” coaches have in common?Kelsey Hansen, a freshman soccer player at the

University of Northern Iowa who grew up playing a multitude of sports, said, “I think it’s awesome when a coach is positive and can bring a team together. I also think it’s admirable when coaches care about more than just the sport. I had an amazing coach who was always checking in on every player to see how their family was doing, how their grades were, etc.

“Some other qualities that I liked in previous coaches that I’ve had include dedication to the team, always prepared for practices and games, and positive motivation.”

Global Sports Development professes to letting youth coaches off the hook. “For winning, that is. The one aspect of youth sports over which you have the least control...it also happens to be the least important part of coaching youth.”

It mentions a study conducted by Michigan State University which found that 90 percent of kids said they would prefer to get playing time on a losing team than sit the bench on a winning team. So what is a successful coach if winning is not the most important thing?

Global Sports gives five behaviors of a good coach.*Puts health and safety first above all else. “Get trained in

CPR and first-aid. Learn about injury prevention...and remind athletes of proper nutrition and hydration”, among other tips.

*Models good sportsmanship. “Encourage athletes to play fair...Engage in respectful discussions with officials when you disagree with their call.”

*Holds parents accountable for their behavior. “Make clear your expectations that parents will not belittle athletes or officials...Remind parents that you are the coach, invite them to discuss matters with you privately...Try to host a pre-season meeting with the parents and youth, where you communicate your coaching philosophy...Consider having parents sign a ‘Parent Conduct Agreement’”.

*Teaches the fundamentals of the game. Explain the rules of the game. “No matter what sport you’re coaching, a simple online search for tips on how to teach certain skills will bring up many helpful websites designed to enhance your coaching ability.”

Be a SportWarming Up BE A SPORT | MIC’D UP | SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS | GTSB STUDENT | BULLPEN | THE MONTH AHEAD

4 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

What makes a good coach? | By Nancy Justis

The one aspect of youth sports

over which you have the least control [winning]

also happens to be the least important part

of coaching youth.

*Encourages the team to have fun. “Congratulate their successes. Treat all athletes equally...Try to go into the practice with a fresh mindset...Remind your team the fun parts of sports (bonding with teammates, learning new skills, exercising, etc.) are the key elements of sport. The key goal of playing is not just to win, but especially to grow as an athlete and person.”

Hansen said she has considered quitting a sport because of a coach. “I think a coach has the ability to make or break a sport for athletes. I’ve had to deal with coaches where constant negativity was present all of the time. Also, I believe that if the coach doesn’t make the atmosphere of practice and games enjoyable, then who would want to come?”

The Aspen Institute’s Project Play reports one study found “that when coaches received training in skills and communicating effectively with kids, only five percent of children chose not to play the sport again. With untrained coaches, the attrition rate was 26 percent (Smoil and Smith, 1992). Only 1 in 5 coaches of youth teams of children under age 14 say they have been trained in effective motivational technique, and just 1 in 3 in skills and tactics in the primary sport they coach, according to original data produced for the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association through a survey of 43,000 households in 2013.”

There are many more traits of a good coach that haven’t been mentioned. The important fact is that children need more positive role models and mentors. But is it becoming more and more difficult to find these “good” coaches?

Let us know what you think by emailing us at njustis@cfu.net.

Nancy Justis is a former competitive swimmer and collegiate sports information director. She is a partner with Justis Creative Communications and a Champion for Positiv Coaching Alliance.

Warming UpBE A SPORT | MIC’D UP | SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS | GTSB STUDENT | BULLPEN | THE MONTH AHEAD

May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 5

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TONY ATZENI: I’m here with Alex Gochenour, former Logan-Magnolia standout who won 13 Iowa high school state championships and also been here at the Drake Relays a half dozen times now. So, Alex, what’s it feel like to get back to Des Moines and the Drake Relays?ALEX GOCHENOUR: You know, this is one of my favorites meets of the year; the weather, the atmosphere, the crowd’s always great. They always stick it out here, even when the weather isn’t good. I just love this meet and I love this track.TA: Of course, you went from Logan-Magnolia to LSU and now the University of Arkansas. What led you to make that move from LSU to Arkansas?AG: Ultimately, I wasn’t happy with a lot of things at LSU, so I started to try and see where I wanted to go. I wanted to stay in the SEC, because it’s such a great conference and so competitive. So I was looking around and Makeba Alcide was at Arkansas at the time and she really caught my eye. I talked to her, I talked with the coaches and it just seemed like a really good fit. It’s just history from there and everything worked out great.

TA: You bring up something there, that an individual got your attention. Who was someone you maybe looked up to in your track career?AG: Growing up, I was always a Marion Jones fan, so I was heartbroken when all of her steroid nonsense went down. But then obviously Jackie Joyner-Kersee once I got into the multi-events. I mean, to be as amazing as she was in every single event, she’s somebody I still look up to.TA: You never know, you can dream big; are the Olympics something you’re thinking about? AG: You know, after [leaving] LSU, I kind of let that dream die. But after the Texas Relays and putting up a big score down there and not having as strong of marks in a couple events as I know I can put out, it’s definitely something in the spotlight right now. American multis right now are incredible, but it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to fighting for in a couple years.TA: Alex, people in track and field, you’re all workaholics and have your routines, and if

you get off of that, the whole day is thrown off. But when you throw your whole day off, what’s the food, the thing that you do when you break those habits for a day?AG: Oh gosh, food. I love food. Let’s see, what’s my favorite cheat? I’m an ice cream girl. If I allow it, I could probably sit down and eat a pint, [laughing] but I try to stick to the serving size of a half cup.TA: Now when you’re in Des Moines for the Drake Relays, there’s usually everybody tries to find that special place they like to go. Where’s the place you like to visit when you’re in Des Moines?AG: Whenever I did well, or heck, even when I didn’t do well, we always seemed to end up at Joe’s Crab Shack. It’s just a fun place, and up until a couple years ago, we didn’t have one near us in the Omaha area. TA: How important is Drake to you? I know you always look forward to coming back, whether things go good or bad; this year, unfortunately, things didn’t go the way you wanted But what is it like, coming back to Des Moines with all the people you get to see again?AG: It’s just so special. I mean, everything great

in track has happened on this track for me. Whether it was pre-high school, high school and even a few collegiate

things. It’s just so special because I grew up on this track, I grew up with these fans; they watched me progress through my career. It’s always a warm welcome when you come back here.TA: Alex, always great catching up with you. Welcome back to Des Moines.AG: Thanks!

Mic’d Up With

Tony Atzeni

The InterviewALEX GOCHENOURA R KA N S A S H E P TAT H L E T EArkansas junior Alex Gochenour was once a star for Logan-Magnolia. Now, the native Iowan is among the top track stars in the talent-laden Southeastern Conference and returned to the Drake Relays last month. Tony caught up with her there to give fans an update on her career.

See what some of the state’s top coaches and athletes have to say, though the filter of Hall of Fame broadcaster Tony Atzeni.

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Stephanie Jenks | Linn-Mar | Track & Field

Jenks owns the state’s top times in the 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs, and also boasts Class 4A’s seventh-best time in the 400-meter hurdles. The junior had an impressive week at the Drake Relays, as well, winning the distance triple.

Cray Washington | Fort Dodge | Track & Field

Washington owns the best time in Class 4A in the 200-meter dash (22.44 seconds) and the second-best time in the 100-meter dash (10.99 seconds). At the Drake Relays, Washington took sixth in the 100-meters at 11.18 seconds.

Thomas Pollard | Gilbert | Track & Field

Pollard is the state’s top distance runner, owning the fastest times in both the 1,600-meter run (4:15.35 minutes) and the 3,200-meter run (9:07.50 minutes). He also anchors the Tigers’ 4x800 relay team that has the fifth-best time in Class 3A this year (8:22.09 minutes). At the Drake Relays, Pollard posted his best time of the year to win the 3,200-meters.

Sarah Plock | Iowa City High | Track & FieldPlock entered the Drake Relays already boasting the best times in the 400-meter dash and the 400-meter hurdles, and she stayed on top in Des Moines. The senior won the hurdles with a time of 1:01.22 minutes and anchored the Little Hawks’ sprint medley that placed sixth at the Drake Relays.

Spotlight Performers of the MonthRecognizing our athletes of the week from the past month.

Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight

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22Volume 3 Issue 4

SportsSpotlight.com

AthleteMONTHStudent

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What’s your favorite sport to play? Why?Football. The competitiveness and the number of areas to be good at, which creates diversity in players.

What’s your favorite sports memory?Coming from behind to win the 4x100 at the 2014 Drake Relays.

Do you have any fun pre-game “rituals” that prepare you for an event?Nope, just need music.

What’s your favorite subject in school and why?Creative writing. It allows a lot of freedom; I don’t like a lot of direction.

Who inspires you? Why?Jasper Washington, who was a senior when I was a freshman. He really brought the competitor out of me. He pushed me to be the fastest and inspired me to be great.

What was the best movie you saw in the last year?Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods

What is your dream job?Personal athletic trainer.

Bryson’s Q & A CLICK IT OR TICKET

Bryson RungeIowa City High School, Class of 2015, 3.75 GPA

Photo: Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight

Sports: Football, track and possibly baseball this season

Academic Achievements/Honors: National Honor Society Member, Honor Roll, Academic All-Conference

College or post-high school plans: Collegiate track and field

Athletic Achievements/Honors: All-State track and field, 2012-2014; Mississippi Valley Conference champion, 2012-2014; Drake Relays Champion, 2014; Track and Field MVP, 2014

Achievements

CLICK IT OR TICKET

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Des Moines, Iowa

Baseball: men

Basketball: men & women

Bowling: men & women

Cheerleading: co-ed

Competitive Dance: women

Cross Country: men & women

Football: men

Golf: men & women

Soccer: men & women

Softball: women

Tennis: men & women

Track & Field: men & women

Volleyball: men & women

Wrestling: men

Finding a way to balance the demands of a career while staying in touch with a sport you love can be difficult, but two Michigan-natives-turned-Des-Moines-area-locals have done just that. Both came here to play basketball for Drake University in 2004 and have remained in the area to begin their careers.

Adam Emmenecker and Brent Heemskerk love the game of basketball and have played since middle school. Although they are from opposite sides of the state of Michigan, they played against one another on travel teams similar to the teams they now coach together in Waukee. They fondly recall the relationships built while playing with the teammates of their youth and remain close with some today.

So how did two guys from Michigan come to coach Waukee youth basketball? They owe it to Waukee High School boys basketball coach, Justin Ohl, who was Heemskerk and Emmenecker’s assistant coach during their time at Drake. Once Ohl decided to take the reins of the Waukee program in April 2011, one of his first priorities was to find a way to engage Waukee youth in basketball. After discussing a few ideas, the Waukee Youth Basketball League (WYBL) was formed for boys in second through fifth grades. According to Emmenecker and Heemskerk, The three men wanted kids in the Waukee community to get excited

about wearing purple and to form an early connection between the high school players and coaches and the aspiring players and their coaches. After a couple years of developing the WYBL, there was a need for the program to expand to boys in the middle grades. During the 2013-14 season, the league only had a sixth grade team. In 2014-15, the league opened up a team for seventh grade players as well.

Who better to coach the growing youth population in Waukee than two high school All-Conference performers and MVC Scholar Athlete team members? Not

to mention Emmenecker’s many college basketball accomplishments such as the Larry Bird Missouri Valley Conference MVP and MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He was also awarded a few academic accolades to round out his talents on the court. Clearly, young basketball players in the league are in very capable hands thanks to Heemskerk and Emmenecker.

So what makes the WYBL such a great program? Not only are the coaches well-skilled and competent but their unfailing faith in the boys they coach along with

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Warming Up BE A SPORT | MIC’D UP | SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS | GTSB STUDENT | BULLPEN | THE MONTH AHEAD

10 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

From the Ground UpBy Erin Holstrom

Photos courtesy of Dan Angstman

Warming UpBE A SPORT | MIC’D UP | SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS | GTSB STUDENT | BULLPEN | THE MONTH AHEAD

May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 11

their positive attitudes are a breath of fresh air in a sometimes tense, negative, and pressure-filled situation for developing players.

Emmenecker and Heemskerk have a similar coaching philosophy. They both work hard to remain as positive as possible which is evident in their smiles and constant words of encouragement as the boys come off the court to the bench even after a mistake, missed shot, or a loss. They ask their players to focus on the elements of the game they can control, namely energy, effort, and attitude. Their number one goal as coaches is to prepare the boys for high school basketball and beyond. “We’re ok with sacrificing a few short-term victories for helping learn the feel of the game,” they said.

To that end, the practices they run focus largely on fundamental basketball skills such as defense, spacing, and individual skill. They ask their players to practice the way they want to play. Work hard to do drills at “game-speed.” Advice from the experts, “15 minutes of hard concentrated effort will improve your skills more than

an hour of practice at less than full speed.” The coaches admit they ask a lot of their players. They challenge the boys to be the best they can be but truly want the kids to enjoy basketball and have fun. Heemskerk and Emmenecker strive to develop “tenacious, intense, and tough-minded players who have a blast competing with their teammates” much the same as they did as developing young players.

Neither Emmenecker nor Heemskerk have a child in the WYBL so why sacrifice so much free time for these players? The answer is simple: they both truly enjoy it. Not only is it great opportunity for the boys but the coaches get something out if it, as well. They get to stay connected to the game of basketball while having the opportunity to see growth and development in their players. The progress the boys make in a short period of time is what keeps them coming back to coach. Both men expressed delight in hearing a player go from “I can’t” and turn that into

“I am!”When asked if they have advice for

young players, they replied, “Dream big. Set goals and be willing to put the time and work in to achieve them”. Off the court, basketball or sports in general teaches work ethic and discipline. Will the WYBL continue? Heemskerk and Emmenecker revisit the program annually to determine next steps. Although there is no crystal ball to see into the future; both coaches are interested in continuing to broaden the reach to the Waukee community.

Warming Up BE A SPORT | MIC’D UP | SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS | GTSB STUDENT | BULLPEN | THE MONTH AHEAD

12 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

Month AheadWhat to watch and watch for this month

Saturday 5/14Track: State qualifying meets The field for the state track meet will be determined as boys and girls set out for district meets across the state. Will there be any surprises as teams and athletes prepare to make a run for a state championship? Or will Linn-Mar’s Stephanie Jenks (right) break a few more records?

Friday 6/4-6/62015 Girls state soccer tournament It’s championship season once again, as the state’s top soccer teams hit the pitch at Cownie Athletic Complex and vie for a state championship. Will 2014 Class 3A state champion Cedar Rapids Kennedy (right) pull off another title run, or will a new champion emerge?

Monday 6/11-6/132015 Boys state soccer tournament Clear Lake lost a 2-1 heartbreaker to eventual state champion Iow City Regina in the Class 1A semifinals a year ago, but foward Ernie Miszewski (right), who was third in Class 1A with 15 goals a stellar 48.4 shooting percentage on May 1, is ready to lead another charge in hopes of winning a title.

Thursday 5/21-5/23

2015 State Track & Field ChampionshipsDistance runners stole the show at last year’s state track meet, and several of them — including Linn-Mar’s Stephanie Jenks and Gilbert’s Thomas Pollard (see Page 18) are back for another go-round. But don’t miss a chance to see Clear Lake long jumper Chandler Diercks (above), and the rest of the state’s best, either.

Thursday 5/25 First day of baseball and softball competition It could be an exciting

summer for Johnston as teams hit the diamonds once more. Star shortstop Brooke Wilmes and pitcher Haylee Towers led the Dragons to a Class 5A softball title in 2014 (see

Page 26), and shortstop Logan Ryan (left) headlines a Dragon baseball squad that’s among the early favorites for the Class 4A

state championship.

Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

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Each month we publish youth and high school action photos from around the state. We would love to get yours! Send us your photos at support@sportsspotlight.com

Pleasant Valley’s Addie Swanson reacts after coming from behind in the final leg to edge Linn-Mar’s Amber Decker (on ground) to win the girls 4x400 relay at the Drake Relays on April 25. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Waukee’s Pat Gray and Cedar Falls’ Hunter Lavallee race to the finish of the boys 4x400 relay at the Drake Relays on April 25. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Western Dubuque’s Tyler Johnson competes in the boys shot put at the Drake Relays on April 23. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Davis County’s Kate Birchmier throws the discus at the Drake Relays on April 23. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Spotlight

West Burlington/Notre Dame’s Jeff Giannettino reacts after clearing the bar at 7-01 feet in the boys high jump at the Drake Relays on April 23. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Linn-Mar’s Stephanie Jenks races to the finish of the girls 3,000-meter run at the Drake Relays on April 23. Jenks won the race with a time of 9:33.81 minutes and won the distance triple (3,000-, 1,500- and 800-meter runs). (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

West Burlington/Notre Dame’s Xavier Williams leads the pack in the homestretch of the boys 4x100 relay at the Drake Relays on April 25. Williams held off Johnston’s Jared Seay to win the event, making West Burlington the first non-Class-4A school to win the event at the Relays since Clarinda accomplished the feat in 1927. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Southeast Polk’s Sydney Milani (right) hands off to Mackenzie Woodard between the second and third legs of the girls 4x400 relay at the Drake Relays on April 25. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

Full Speed AheadPleasant Valley’s relay teams had finished just short of victory all week, but the 4x400 team came back in the anchor leg to win on the final day of the Drake Relays. (Tork Mason/Sports Spotlight)

THOMAS POLLARD

May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 19

Catch Him if You Can Gilbert’s Thomas Pollard has established himself as the state’s best long-distance runner and reasserted his dominance at the Drake Relays. Now his sights are set on winning another state championship.

B Y L A R RY C OT L A RPhotographs by Tork Mason

The name Pollard has been synonymous with sports ever since Jamie made the move from the University of Wisconsin to become the athletic director

at Iowa State in 1998. However, there is another Pollard who is on the verge of accomplishing great things on the athletic playing fields, so to speak.

Thomas Pollard is a senior at Gilbert High School, where he is making a name for himself in track as the state record holder in the 3,200-meter run after running the distance in 8:50.43 in last year’s state meet.

Distance running is in the Pollard family blood. Jamie claimed a national championship as a long distance runner at UW-Oshkosh and is a member of that school’s Hall of Fame. However, he laughs when one asks if Thomas is following in his father’s footsteps. “He is way out in front of my footsteps,” the elder Pollard said. “He is faster than in high school than I ever was in college.”

Thomas started out playing basketball and baseball. He began running at track and field day at school and his distance running began in earnest when he was 12. According to Jamie, Thomas learned that Drake University was

PUSHING THE PACE Pollard’s father, Jamie (inset) was an accomplished distance runner, but says his son is on a different level, even as a high school prep.

hosting the AAU National meet in 2009 and wanted to compete in it. Thomas showed his potential by finishing second to Brody Hill from Bentonville, Arkansas in the boys 3000-meter run. Thomas Pollard was on his way.

But there was a setback in April 2014. Disappointed after finishing third in the 3,200-meter run at the Drake Relays, he refocused and set a state record with his winning 8:50.43 performance at the state meet on May 23, 2014. Pollard said that loss set the stage for his record-setting effort.

“I used that loss at Drake as motivation,” he said. “It fueled the fire within me. I realized that I had to do everything I could to get back on top.”

Jamie Pollard calls Thomas’ maturity in such a situation one of his son’s strengths. “I have

tried to instill in him the ability to think long term which he has grasped. He has suffered from defeat and finds them hard to accept but he has learned how to bounce back from adversity. Not everyone has the ability to do that.”

Thomas Pollard has also exploded on the national scene as he became an All-American. He ran the second fastest mile in Iowa history (4:06.31 minutes) as he finished fourth in the Festival of Miles in St. Louis. He also finished third in the 3,000 meters at the USA World Youth

Trials. All told, he had five top-five finishes in national competitions during the 2014 season. Locally, he also led Gilbert to its first-ever Class 3A state cross country championship.

Things are off to a strong start this

season, too. On April 23, Thomas Pollard cruised to the 3,200 meter title at this year’s Drake Relays. Pollard set the tone early and won the event going away — by 7.49 seconds — in a time of 9:07.50 minutes. Now he looks ahead to the state meet and helping Gilbert win its first ever Class 3A title.

Jamie Pollard says another primary reason for Thomas’ success is his love of the sport. “He really enjoys all aspects of the sport,” Jamie maintained. “He enjoys the training and he greatly enjoys the

process of training.”Iowa State fans are excited that

Thomas Pollard will be joining his father at Iowa State. Pollard

committed to the Cyclone track program last November, selecting it over Oregon, Stanford, Wisconsin and Indiana. He says the reasons for his decision was his fondness for head track coach Martin Smith. “He’s had success everywhere he

has been and his training philosophy [appeals to me],” Pollard said. Thomas also wants to be a part of turning the Iowa State track program into a national power. Obviously, staying close to home didn’t hurt. Academically, he will study statistics and logistics.

Jamie Pollard says he put no pressure on his son to attend Iowa State. “I tried not to push Iowa State over the other schools interested in him. We didn’t want him to feel any pressure. We just wanted him to make

his own decision. We are happy for him and really excited that he is going to Iowa State.”

Interestingly, father and son talked about different long-range goals for the younger Pollard. Jamie talked about Thomas seeking another state individual title and helping Gilbert secure its first-ever 3A state title in May at Drake. Then, there was making the U.S. Junior National team and a possible run in the Olympic trials.

However, Thomas sounded more like a coach when asked about his future goals. “I just want to take things one day and one race at a time,” Thomas said. “I just want to keep improving and be the best that I can be.” ☐

20 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

THOMAS POLLARD

“[Thomas is] way out in front of my footsteps,” said Jamie Pollard, a former collegiate distance runner. “HE’S FASTER IN

HIGH SCHOOL THAN I EVER WAS IN COLLEGE.”

UTTER DOMINANCE Already the state record holder in the 3,200-meter run, Pollard clearly outclassed the field in the event at the Drake Relays. His winning time of 9:07.50 was over seven seconds faster than any other runner.

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KIANA PHELPS

May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 23

Ain’t Nothing but a Family Thing Kiana Phelps is arguably the nation’s best prep discus thrower, but high achievement in throwing events is nothing new in her family.

Tradition and passion. Those two qualities best describe why Kingsley-Pierson junior Kiana Phelps has developed into one of the best high school discus throwers in the nation.

Throwing events are in Kiana’s blood. It all began with Kiana’s grandfather, Robert Phelps, who nearly qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials as a javelin thrower. Then, her father, Scott, who still holds the Class 1A state meet record, twice won state titles in the discus (1985-86) and claimed the boys discus title at the Drake Relays. Add in her two brothers, Colton and Nick, and a sister, who passed away unexpectedly in 2010, who also emerged as discus throwers. “All three have achieved national championships in Junior Olympic competition,” said Scott Phelps of his children. “Nick also set a middle school record in the shot put.”

Kiana began throwing the discus when she was seven. “I love it,” she said. “Because as an individual sport, everything is on you. You either succeed or fail on your own.”

There is a lot which goes into Phelps’ training regimen. She lifts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, works on her abs on Sundays and does short sprints twice a week. She also does plyometrics, also known as jump training, which increases one’s speed and power. “All this keeps off the bad weight,” she said.

Discus is Phelps’ favorite event but it is not her only field event. She also does the shot put but admits that it is not nearly important as the discus. “I do more of my shot put throwing from October through March. But from March through October, my primary focus is the discus.”

That focus has led to her development as the top discus thrower in the United States. Last May, she set the national record with a throw of 179-feet, 7.5 inches (“I benefitted from a strong crosswind that day”, Phelps added modestly.).

This past weekend, Phelps claimed her third-straight Drake Relays title in the high school girls discus with a throw of 159-4

feet. That broke her meet record by six feet (153-4 feet as a freshman in 2013). She is well on her way to becoming a four-time Relays champion in the event, which

has been her goal ever since she took the title as a freshman. “After that win, I learned that only Abby Emsick had ever won four-straight Drake Relays discus titles. I made it my goal to do the same.”

That goal was placed in doubt when Phelps suffered a torn meniscus on March 21, 2014, which threatened her participation in last year’s Relays. However, Phelps worked and rehabbed diligently and after undergoing surgery, returned to action three weeks later. She went on to claim her second-straight Relays discus title with a toss of 151-10. Now she is back on track toward her goal of four-straight titles after winning the discus for a third time last weekend.

Passion is the second part of the equation when it comes to the reason for Phelps’ success. “She has the passion and the drive to be successful,” her father said. “To her, practicing is not work. She’ll just get up and go over the school and put in thirty throws because she enjoys it. It relaxes her.” Bob Phelps also said Kiana sets lofty goals for herself. “By setting goals, it gives you a barometer to know that you gave it all you had.”

As an indication of her drive, Kiana describes lifting weights as her hobby. “I love it. However, I am lifting lighter weights in order to build up my speed, not to bulk up.”

Kiana is not yet sure what the future holds. Of course, there is the state meet this month. Then her senior year at Kingsley-Pierson. Beyond that, she is already pondering her collegiate choice and plans to study anestheiology. “I want to go somewhere out west because of the weather,” she said. “Right now, my two top schools are Stanford and Oregon. I am taking online courses and my decision may come down to which school my classes will best transfer.”

However, for right now, Kiana Phelps is just having fun. “I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends,” she said. She also competes in volleyball and basketball. She averaged 8.8 points and 7.1 rebounds for her Kingsley-Pierson team which finished 22-2 last season.

Phelps’ ultimate goal is to earn a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. That would allow her to take the Phelps’ track tradition to even greater heights.

Or rather, greater distances.

UNTOUCHABLE Phelps is one of the nation’s elite prep discus throwers, and she lived up to that reputation at the Drake Relays. The junior won the event by nearly 10 feet to claim her third Relays title.

B Y L A R RY C OT L A RPhotograph by Tork Mason

2015 SUMMER PREVIEWTOP HURLERS

BASEBALL SOFTBALLCLASS 1A - Otis Roby, Sr., Twin Cedars ▶ 2014: 10-0, 0.22 ERA, 109 K’s

CLASS 2A - Korey Kuhlmann, Sr., Maple Valley-Anthon Oto 2014: 10-4, 1.09 ERA, 172 K’s

CLASS 3A - Cole Baker, Sr., Dallas Center-Grimes 2014: 9-5, 0.68 ERA, 106 K’s

CLASS 4A - Chris Comito, Sr., Norwalk 2014: 7-4, 1.66 ERA, 107 K’s

CLASS 1A - Morgan Christner, Jr., New London 2014: 25-4, 0.84 ERA, 257 K’s

CLASS 2A - Jayden Wolter, Jr., Denver 2014: 24-6, 1.39 ERA, 250 K’s

CLASS 3A - Amber Fiser, Jr., Benton 2014: 24-3, 0.47 ERA, 303 K’s

CLASS 4A - Rachel Lowary, So., Dallas Center-Grimes 2014: 14-0, 0.00 ERA, 108 K’s

CLASS 5A - Alyssa Olson, Sr., CR Jefferson ▶ 2014: 18-6, 0.74 ERA, 188 K’s

EARLY CHAMPIONSHIP FAVORITESCLASS 1A - Van Buren Community

CLASS 2A - Alburnett

Class 3A - Clear Lake

Class 4A - CR Kennedy

BASEBALL

2015 SUMMER PREVIEWTOP HITTERS

BASEBALL SOFTBALLCLASS 1A - Garrett Saunders, Sr., Van Buren ▶ 2014: .504, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 64 R, 52 SB

CLASS 2A - Jordan Rommes, Sr., South Winneshiek 2014: .514, 13 HR, 57 RBI, 56 R, 18 SB

CLASS 3A - Jake Hovden, Sr., Decorah 2014: .495, 23 RBI, 43 R, 13 SB

CLASS 4A - Robert Neustrom, Sr., SC North 2014: .540, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 41 R

CLASS 1A - Morgan Frost, Sr., Don Bosco 2014: .579, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 43 R, 18 SB

CLASS 2A - Dalaney Bice, So., Woodward-Granger 2014: .559, 12 HR, 14 2B, 56 RBI

CLASS 3A - Amber Kral, Jr., Mid-Prairie 2014: .583, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 46 R, 10 SB

CLASS 4A - Taylor Nearad, Sr., Solon ▶ 2014: .558, 5 HR, 28 2B, 60 RBI, 62 R

CLASS 5A - Brooke Wilmes, So., Johnston 2014: .538, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 58 R, 29 SB

EARLY CHAMPIONSHIP FAVORITESCLASS 1A - Martensdale-St. Marys

CLASS 2A - St. Edmond (Fort Dodge)

CLASS 4A - Solon

CLASS 5A - Johnston

CLASS 3A - Benton

SOFTBALL

26 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

BROOKE WILMES

She’s OnlyJust BegunJohnston shortstop Brooke Wilmes already has a championship ring and a slew of personal accolades befitting a seasoned veteran. But the sophomore still has more than half of her prep career ahead of her.

B Y DA R DA N I E LS O NPhotograph by Tork Mason

The Johnston softball team will open defense of their Class 5A state title with a returning starter who is a two-time All-State player. Brooke Wilmes led the team in hitting last season and was named the captain of the all-tournament team following the championship game win. After reading that lead in, you might think this is going to be the typical story profiling a senior preparing for her final high

school season. But Wilmes’ softball career is as far from typical as you can get, and it’s just getting started, as she is only a sophomore.

Wilmes became a varsity starter for the Dragons as an eighth grader in a season that saw the team finish runner-up at the state tournament. That was followed up with the freshman season and a state title. Wilmes admits she came in as an eighth grader just hoping to get some playing time wherever she could. The team as a whole was not expected to be a title contender, but got on a run and ended up playing for the championship. “And that set a high standard for my team and I, we were like, ‘You know what, we’re going to get back there next, that’s our goal.’ And last year our offseason was just absolutely incredible and we worked our butts off and we did everything in order to get back to where we were, and it paid off in the end,” according to Wilmes.

Hard work is one of the keys to Wilmes taking the rare step of becoming a varsity starter so early

in her career. Coach Todd Merical said he first noticed Wilmes’ potential in the way she jumped right in and went full tilt in preseason workouts and conditioning. “Often times it takes a year or two for some of the younger ones to look at the older ones and kind of develop that and have them as role models,” Merical said. “She came in right away that

CLUTCH PLAYER Wilmes has developed a reputation for coming through when it counts, including in last year’s Class 5A semifinals when she reached base five times and scored the game-winning run in extra innings.

way, very hungry to do things well and to I think make an impression and get better. That was the first thing [that stood out].”

Merical told Wilmes her hard work in the preseason won her a chance to try some work with the varsity once they hit the diamond. The coach saw enough from Wilmes on the field to keep her with the varsity when it came time to separate out the younger players.

It sounds easy, but Wilmes said it wasn’t a matter of just showing up to varsity practice and fitting in. “At the beginning it was a huge adjustment, just figuring out the coach’s expectations, because I have been playing with girls my age or a year above my whole life. But now I am playing with girls who are three or four years older than me,” Wilmes said.

She said she was able to watch the older players and figure out what needed to be done. She said she put a lot of pressure on herself to do the best she could, and credits Merical with helping her. “His confidence in me got my confidence up that year too, and I just flourished on that. And I feel like my confidence boosted up when everybody around me was ‘oh she’s good enough to play with us’,” Wilmes said.

Merical said Wilmes is “a very good athlete who is a tremendous competitor.” The competitiveness is something that comes naturally as part of her heritage. Her grandfather, Lou Yacinich, is the baseball coach at Grandview, her uncle is Grandview’s softball coach. Her mother, Andrea, played softball in college and coached high school softball, and her father, Alan, played baseball. Her sisters Abbey and Bailey played for Johnston on their 2009 state championship team. That game was against a Waukee team coached by their mom. So, Wilmes has been going to or hearing about baseball and softball all her life, and it’s no surprise she’s stepped right into the sport as well.

Sister Abbey started playing varsity as a freshman and sister Bailey was another

eighth grade starter. They provide a readymade support system for Brooke.

“Just to be able to talk them and know their experience, they got me through a lot. They told me the expectations, they told me what I needed to be doing. Because of that I adjusted much quicker,” Wilmes said. She said her parents have high expectations or her, but they also support her along with the rest of the family and that has allowed her to excel.

Merical said the family background gives

Wilmes a high softball IQ, and she was able to understand what was happening and grow in confidence every game. “Watching her as the year went on and the games got bigger – the same thing happened last year – the bigger the games, the brighter the lights, and the better she played, and that’s not always the case with everbody.” But for Wilmes, it became her standard, “She absolutely loves being in pressure situations and playing in the big games, she just has a blast.”

Her exploits in the spotlight have garnered some national attention as well, as Wilmes was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” feature. So, what do you when you’ve accomplished so much in your first two seasons of softball? Wilmes said it starts with the team and not wanting last year’s

championship to define them. “Each year is new for us, so we have to work our hardest to get back to where we were,” Wilmes explains. She said that attitude is already showing in the way people have shown up for the after-school workouts.

Wilmes moved from the outfield in her first year to shortstop last season, and when it comes to personal goals, she wants to continue to improve on her defensive work. “I need to be able to get quicker, I need to field ground balls quicker,” Wilmes said.

Offensively, opposing teams became aware of her ability at the plate and tried to pitch around her. She wants to become more patient and pick the right pitches and time to go after them. The ultimate goal is to prepare herself the next three years so she can play shortstop in college at the University of Missouri, where she has already committed. Coach Merical has talked with Wilmes about the times she needs to hit from when the ball leaves the bat to when its thrown to first base, to be able to compete at the highest level in high school and college. He has no doubt she has the drive to improve.

When it comes to winning

another championship this season, Merical points out that Wilmes isn’t a one person team, and there are plenty of other good athletes around her. Merical and Wilmes both agree that’s what it takes to play in the largest softball class in the state and to win titles. Wilmes says it starts with conference play, where you have to be on the top of your game every time out to survive. “In our western division, it’s us, West Des Moines Valley, Dowling and Urbandale. And that is one of the hardest divisions in the state I would say.”

“It’s every single night, when you are playing you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Merical said. “And if you are not bringing it one night, the other team’s going to hand it to you.” ☐

28 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

BROOKE WILMES

“She absolutely loves being in pressure situations and playing in the big games,” Merical said. “SHE JUST HAS A BLAST.”

ALL-ROUND THREAT Wilmes is a complete offensive player, with the ability to hit for average and power, excellent plate vision (30 walks in 2014), and smart baserunning (29 stolen bases on 29 attempts in 2014).

Bill Niebergall/The Des Moines Register (W

ilmes); Register file photo (Schultz)

May 2015 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | 29

In a career that spanned from the Nixon administration through 2014, former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz guided his teams to 19 state tournament appearances, with nine state championships—the most in Iowa history—and seven state runner-up finishes. He went 1578-342, good for an .822 winning percentage and a national record for career wins.

When Schultz stepped down after last season, who would — for that matter, who could — follow the greatest high school baseball coach of all time was the big question facing the program.

The Kee Hawk community found its answer when it turned to one of its own.

Jim Mauss played for Gene Schultz in the late 1990s, graduating in 1998 and suiting up for the state runner-up teams in 1995 and 1996.

“Jim has a good, solid background and knowledge of baseball. He has a good rapport with the players. He’s got a great demeanor and he’s come a long way already as a coach,” says Gene Schultz of his former protégé.

Mauss became the head baseball coach for North Butler in 2009 and spent three years revitalizing that program. The year before his arrival, the team went 5-22; in his final season,

the Bearcats were 19-9. He then moved closer to home, taking the

head coaching job at DeSoto High School in Wisconsin, just across the Mississippi River from Lansing. Mauss spent three years in the DeSoto dugout, winning back-to-back conference championships in 2012 and 2013. However, once he heard about the Kee High opportunity, he jumped at the chance.

“My daughter and I were walking to a Brewers game last summer, and a friend sent me a text that I should apply for the Kee job,” Mauss says. “Some of the parents approached me, too, which was a good feeling; it showed people in the community were excited.”

Many in the tiny Mississippi River communities were excited about having one of their own come back and captain the ship.

“That was important for them to have someone who has been through the system, knows the community and knows the tradition,” Mauss said.

While many people wonder how Mauss feels about taking over for Gene Schultz, he admits to not thinking about it and instead is focusing on his own goals going forward.

“People ask me all the time and I don’t even think about it. I know it’s there but I don’t dwell on it. I have high expectations of myself. I don’t try to think about that and instead focus on things I can control,” Mauss says.

Mauss has already had the opportunity to work with the new team; pitchers and catchers began working out in March and practicing two to three times per week. It may be a new coach and a new chapter, the message largely remains the same.

“I’m very old school in my approach. We’re going to play very hard, and be very disciplined. We’re very young, but that doesn’t diminish our goals to compete for a conference title and get back to state,” Mauss says.

Ryan Kuhn, senior first baseman and pitcher for the Kee Hawks, has had the opportunity to work with Mauss already and has seen some of the parallels between the coaches.

“He came in to the first practice and explained himself to us, what his expectations were and how we wanted to go about it…He does a lot of things the way coach Schultz does them,” Kuhn says. “Everyone says he’s got big shoes to fill, but I think he can do it.”

— By Darrin Cline

Replacing a Legend Kee High baseball coach Jim Mauss isn’t daunted by taking over for Gene Schultz

When Iowans think of Adam Haluska, they think of basketball. However, Haluska also flourished in another sport growing up — track and field.

Haluska grew up in Adair, Iowa, and became aware of track at an early age. “When I was in kindergarten, my father [Steve] was the track coach at Adair-Casey High School,” remembers Haluska. “I fell in love with it and eventually began working out with my dad and some of the high school athletes.”

While initially competing at the Iowa Games and with several Des Moines AAU squads, it was after his family moved to Carroll while he was in middle school that his track career took off.

“I was a sprinter. I would run anything from the 100 to the 400 meters. I had no interest in running any more than one lap,” Haluska said with a chuckle. “My favorites were the 100- and 200-meter races but I found that when I ran the 400, the longer it went, the better it was for me. I would get stronger and close harder.”

At Carroll, Haluska claimed numerous state titles. He won his first state title in the long jump as a sophomore (also as a junior and a senior). He also won the 100 and 200 meters as a junior and a senior and the 400 meters as a senior.

Haluska also won the high school boys long jump as a junior and senior and finished second in the 100 meters as a senior at the Drake Relays. “It was difficult to get in track shape after basketball season in time, but I have always seen the Drake Relays as a great way to showcase in front of the state.”

Upon graduating from Carroll, Haluska signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa State under Larry Eustachy. However, after Haluska’s freshman year, Eustachy was fired and Haluska decided to transfer to Iowa.

“I had nothing against Iowa State. It was just all of the uncertainty which was going on at the time,” Haluska said. “There were the coaching changes and none of us were sure what the school was going to do. I didn’t know what my teammates were going to do. I just wanted to get an education and play basketball. I didn’t want all the turmoil.”

While Iowa State fans may have been bitter about Haluska’s decision to transfer to Iowa, he insists he has always liked and followed the Cyclones. “I have never had any

animosity towards Iowa State,” he said. “In fact, I think Fred Hoiberg is a good guy and has done a tremendous job there. I knew he was going to do great things at Iowa State. I didn’t expect him to have anything but success.”

After making the decision to play basketball at Iowa, Haluska knew his track days were numbered. “I would have loved to do track in college. Everyone said I should become a decathlete. However, going to school and playing college basketball has become a full-time job. You mix in film study and weight training and I realized I would have no time for track.”

However, Haluska says being involved in track made him a better basketball player. “I would always spend time on the track as soon as the basketball season was over. I became quicker and my vertical jump would increase after every season because of my track workouts. I believe that every good athlete should do track. It will make you a better athlete all-around.”

As a senior at Iowa in 2007, Haluska was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. Haluska was drafted in the second round by New Orleans in the 2007 NBA Draft. Haluska was eventually traded to Houston and never took the court in an NBA game. In 2008, he spent some time with the Iowa Energy of the D-League before wrapping up his basketball career in Israel.

Haluska is still the Iowa state record holder in the 100 meters. “I ran a 10.1 in a local meet in Jefferson,” Haluska said.

“But I’m pretty sure it was wind-aided,” he added with a laugh.

Haluska feels good about the future of the Iowa basketball program. “Fran McCaffery is doing a great job with the Hawkeyes,” he said. “It was a good leap to get a second-round victory in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in many years. Fran has laid the groundwork and truly has the program heading in the right direction.”

Haluska now resides in Solon, Iowa, and is a financial planner at Edward R. Jones in Iowa City. He and his wife, Kendra, have three children — Jerzey (6), Jace (3) and Jett (eight months). He has become involved in Ironman competitions and says he enjoys all aspects of it — swimming, biking and running.

Anyone silly enough to think that Adam Haluska won’t be successful in that venture? After all, he has already proven himself successful in every other athletic endeavor he has attempted.

Haluska: More Than a Hoops StarBy Larry Cotlar

30 | SPORTS SPOTLIGHT | May 2015

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Photos courtesy of Haluska fam

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