NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Nick Upah explodes out of the blocks in the 60-meter dash at UNI.

CEDAR FALLS — Signs of spring are in the air as the STC boys track and field team began their season last week. Competing at two indoor meets, the team had a solid start to their season. The competition began on Monday, March 9, when the boys traveled to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls for the annual Dickenson Relays. The Trojans were led by senior Timm Chandonia, who finished in an impressive 5th place in the shot put. A state-qualifier in the event last season, Chandonia’s top throw in Cedar Falls was 54 feet, 3.75 inches. Senior Josh Strong also competed in the shot put, finishing in 165th place with a throw of 32 feet, 10.25 inches.

The Trojan distance runners were led by seniors Cadel Connor and Barrett Jesina, who both competed in a loaded field in the 1600. Connor, in his first year with the STC program after transferring from Grinnell, finished in 17th place (4:42), while Jesina clocked in with a time of 4:49 to finish in 27th place. Connor and Jesina also took part in STC’s 4×800 relay team, who finished in a very impressive 12th place among 51 teams. Joined by sophomore Brady Jesina and senior Carver Cecak, the foursome finished with a time of 8:43.68. In other distance results, sophomore Henri Martinez-Alvarado (52nd, 2:15.54) and Brady Jesina (68th, 2:17.89) competed in the open 800.

The STC middle distance runners and sprinters also had a good showing in Cedar Falls. They were led by junior Josiah Houghton, who finished in 27th place (54.29) in the 400. Also competing in the 400 were sophomore Ryan Brant (60th, 55.61) and senior Wes Hanus (100th, 57.58). Senior Nick Upah (81st, 7.45), sophomore Izak Schroeder (137th, 7.75), and sophomore Ethan page (141st, 7.78) participated in the 60-meter dash. Upah (59th, 24.56), sophomore Alfredo Villa (60th, 24.63), and Schroeder (116th, 25.41) all ran the 200. Finally, the team of Hanus, Page, Schroeder, and Houghton ran the 4×200 and finished in 45th place (1:42.32).

Three days later, on March 12, the team traveled to Ames to participate in the annual IATC Indoor Championships on the campus of Iowa State. The Trojans showed noticeable improvement in a short period of time, finishing in 13th place as a team, out of 29 teams competing in class 3A. They were the third-highest scoring WaMaC conference team.

STC was led in Ames by Connor, who finished 2nd in the 1600 with a time of 4:23.61 — bettering his time at UNI by nearly 20 seconds. Connor also ran the 3200 in Ames, and finished in 5th place with a time of 9:53.09. With the effort, Connor came within a second of the STC school record. Tommy Tyynismaa owns the 3200 record with a time of 9:52.79 in 2023.

Sophomore Izak Schroeder runs the 60-meter dash at UNI for the Trojans.

Joining Connor in the 3200 was Barrett Jesina, who finished in 8th place (10:09.48) for the Trojans.

Other individual results from ISU included: Upah (33rd in the 60, 7.48); Hanus (31st in the 60 hurdles, 9.77); and Chandonia (16th in the shot put, 44 feet-6 inches). The Trojans’ relay teams also found success in Ames, with the 4×800 team of Brady Jesina, Houghton, Cecak, and Alvarado leading the way (9th, 8:45.11). The 4×400 team of Hanus, Brady Jesina, Brant, and Houghton finished in 18th place (3:41.86); and the 4×100 team of Upah, Schroeder, Page, and Villa crossed the line in 22nd place (47.27).

After competing at the Wartburg Indoor meet on March 17, the Trojan boys track and field team will compete next at the annual WaMaC indoor conference meet. It will be held on Tuesday, March 24, at Grinnell College’s indoor track facility.

STC senior Barrett Jesina competes in the 1600 at UNI.

STC senior Cadel Connor runs the 1600 at UNI.

STC junior Josiah Houghton turns the corner during the 400 at UNI.

STC sophomore Ryan Brant competes in the 400 at UNI.