NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC juniors Barrett Jesina and Timm Chandonia received certificates from the IHSAA for qualifying for the 2025 state track and field meet.

The STC boys track and field team held their end-of-the-season team banquet on Thursday night, May 29. For the coaching staff of head coach Danny Mayo, distance coach Robert Tyynismaa, and throwing coach Sam Cantonwine, it was an evening to remember and celebrate a season full of accomplishments.

A pair of Trojan junior athletes, Barrett Jesina and Timm Chandonia, were recognized for their participation in the state meet held in Des Moines on May 22-24. Chandonia qualified in the shot put and finished in 13th place in class 3A with a throw of 49 feet, 9.25 inches. Jesina qualified in the 3200 and ran a time of 10:18.24 to grab 19th place in class 3A. Both Jesina and Chandonia were presented with a certificate from the Iowa High School Athletic Association for their state qualifications.

Jesina was also recognized as one of four team captains on the season. Receiving the captains star with him was fellow junior Nick Upah, along with seniors Cody Blocker and Tyrus Clegg. Blocker ends his STC track and field career as part of the Distance Medley relay team that currently holds the school record in a time of 3:32.48 (Chase Gustafson, Blocker, James Brant, and Tommy Tyynismaa; set in 2024). Blocker is also a part of both 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams that find themselves on the top-10 list in school history. Clegg concludes his career with the tenth best effort in the long jump in school history (19 feet-10.25 inches). Clegg also finds himself as part of a 4×100 relay team on the top-10 all-time list.

Jesina and Blocker were also recognized at the banquet by the WaMaC conference for earning a spot on the Academic All-Conference team. The recognition is given to junior and senior athletes who have a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

The coaching staff also handed out special awards as the team gathered one last time at the season’s end. Blocker received both the ‘Best Teammate Award’ and ‘True Grit Award.’ Chandonia took home the 2025 ‘Team MVP Award.’ All three awards are voted on by their Trojan teammates.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – Four STC athletes were selected as team captains for the 2025 track and field team: (L to R) senior Cody Blocker, junior Barrett Jesina, senior Tyrus Clegg, and junior Nick Upah.

The banquet this year held special significance, as it was the final one for both coaches Mayo and Tyynismaa. Coach Tyynismaa is retiring and Coach Mayo is stepping down after accepting another teaching position. Mayo has been the head coach of the boys track and field program for the past eleven seasons. Prior to that he was the head coach at Maquoketa High School for three seasons. Tyynismaa has served as the assistant track and field coach for the past fifteen seasons. He has also served as the head cross country coach for the past nine seasons. Prior to that served as the assistant cross country coach for ten seasons.

This season, the Trojans secured team championships at both the STC Trojan Relays and the Meskwaki Invitational. Over their careers, the two coaches have seen numerous athletes from their team qualify for the state track and field meet. At the banquet, both coaches had an opportunity to reflect on their career and express words of gratitude. The athletes and parents presented both with a framed picture of the team as an expression of their gratitude for their dedication over their successful careers.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Cody Blocker and junior Barrett Jesina were named to the WaMaC Academic All-Conference team.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – Senior Cody Blocker (left) was awarded both the 'Best Teammate Award' and the 'True Grit Award.' Junior Timm Chandonia (right) was given the 'Team MVP Award.'

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC head coach Danny Mayo (left) and assistant coach Robert Tyynismaa (right) were recognized for their successful careers in the boys track and field program.