Three wrestlers, two distance runners, and a football player will continue their STC athletics success at the collegiate level. The STC Class of 2024 proved to be one for the history books, bringing home a state title, plenty of podium finishes, and the first ever state cross country qualifying team, this elite group of small town athletes will be taking their talents to the next level starting in the fall.

High school activity director Chelsea Ahrens offered her praise for the group of talented young athletes.

“We definitely need to celebrate these talented athletes and how hard they have worked to get to that point. It didn’t just happen overnight, these young athletes have been putting so much extra time into their respective sports in the offseason and beyond practice hours,” she said. ‘I am constantly seeing them training throughout town — whether they are at the golf course still hitting at dusk, early morning workouts at the wrestling room, or running at the track when it’s below 30 degrees. These kids are setting the bar for the next generation of Trojan athletes.”

Here’s a brief look at each of the athletes and where to find them competing in the coming years.

Wrestling

MaCael Bear rounded out an impressive wrestling career at South Tama with over one hundred wins and two state tournament appearances. Bear will be wrestling at Hawkeye Community College.

Amare Chavez finished his STC wrestling career with three podium finishes at the state wrestling tournament, most recently wrestling to sixth place and will compete at Grand View University come fall.

Maeley Elsbury will forever be a trailblazer for the Trojans as the first ever 135 pound Girls State Wrestling Champion in 2023. Following her state championship Elsbury became the first female wrestler in school history to achieve one hundred wins. In the fall Elsbury will make her way to William Penn University in Oskaloosa.

Distance running

James Brant, who will be taking his talents to Central College in Pella this fall, ending his high school career with plenty of accolades. Being a four time state track state qualifier and a three time state cross country qualifier. Brant finishes with multiple state medals, school record performances, and a part of the first ever STC state cross country qualifying team.

Tommy Tyynismaa completed the quadruple-double in his high school career, qualifying four times to the state cross country meet and another four qualifications to the state track meet. Tyynismaa is a two time runner up in the 3A 800 meter run, and will take his talent to Iowa State in August.

Football

Kyan McBride will be playing football for Simpson College in the fall. McBride was recognized as a 2nd team All Class 3A District 5 defensive lineman for the 2023 season. McBride was also the 2nd leading tackler on the Trojans this past season with 56 tackles.

The Tama-Toledo News Chronicle would also like to acknowledge Gavin Bridgewater as spending almost all of his high school athletic career as a Trojan before moving out of district in the final weeks of his senior year. Bridgewater’s contributions to STC Athletics do not go unnoticed. Keeping with blue and black, Bridgewater plans to play football at Upper Iowa in the fall.