Off-Season Opportunities

by Coach Vanderah @MrVDowling | May 2, 2023 (updated May 23)

As we approach the end of the season for most of our team this week, I wanted to take a few minutes and share some opportunities that any of our athletes can participate in. These are chances where the athletes can sign themselves up and talk to their event coach(es) about training.

Friday May 26 - Jumper Athletics Track & Field Championship Invite

Meet Information | REGISTRATION  (Registration due by 5pm on May 23)

This meet is being run by Jumper Athletics, which is run by Ankeny Girls T&F head coach TJ Jumper and his wife Laura. They are accepting the top 24 entries in all individual running events and field events (no relays) for athletes currently in grades 9-11. There will also be a separate Senior Invitational group for each event, bringing the top graduating talent from across the state. This meet will be held at Nevada High School. Registration is $30 per athlete and each athlete can compete in up to 3 events. The fee can be paid in person at the meet or through Venmo.

Saturday June 3rd - IATC Outdoor Championships and Pentathlon

Championships Information | Pentathlon Information | REGISTRATION (Registration due by 6pm on June 1)

The Iowa Association of Track & Field and Cross Country is hosting their annual meet on the first Saturday in June at Iowa City West High School. We have had a number of athletes compete in the pentathlon in the past (Mira Baccile in 2019, Reese Ervin and Crystal Castellano in 2022). This meet does include the pentathlon for grades 7-8 if any one has younger siblings or friends that would be interested. Entry is free!

Here is the list of events offered:

• 100 meters

• 200 meters

• 400 meters

• 800 meters

• 100 hurdles

• 400 hurdles

• Long Jump

• High Jump

• Shot Put

• Discus

• Pentathalon (100 hurdles - 30", High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, 800 meters)

June 29-July 2 - AAU Regional Qualifier Meet (Region 14)

Meet Information | Registration (Registration due by 1pm on June 27) | Must have an AAU membership

This is the regional meet to qualify for AAU Nationals. This is held at Williams Stadium (Grandview & Des Moines East's stadium). Iowan's can automatically apply for this meet (despite the wording their is not district meet prior to this regional qualifier - see here ).

July 26-August 5 - AAU Junior Olympic Games

Drake Stadium is host to this year's AAU nationals, aka the Junior Olympic Games. Must qualify by finishing in the top 6 at regionals.

Other Meets

Other local meets can be found on either Athletic.net or MileSplit.

Club/AAU/USATF Events

We have a few options for how athletes can participate in different summer track and field opportunities.

1. Competing Unattached

In the past, we have had athletes who do off season workouts with their events coach(es) and sign themselves up for meets. This is the most cost-effective route, but being entered "unattached" has some limitations. The coaches would not be allowed on the field and the athlete would not be able to compete in any relays.

2. Central Iowa Excaliburs (Site | Facebook Group)

Excaliburs is a T&F club based at Des Moines Roosevelt and run by their hurdles coach Cortez Nichols. Our boys long jump coach, Ron Paskach, is also the sprints and long jump coach for Excaliburs. For more information, you can talk to Coach Ron or contact Coach Nichols using either of those links.

3. Jumper Athletics (Site)

Jumper Athletics is also starting up a T&F club this summer. They train running events (100/200/400/800), hurdles (100/400), jumps (high/long/triple) and heptathletes. All event training will take place at Saydel High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for High Jump which will be at Nevada High School on Wednesdays. Club membership is $200 not including meet fees or apparel. You can opt to only train with them for $40 a session and either not compete or compete unattached. 

4. Other clubs

Most cities in the Des Moines area have a local T&F club - some are only middle school but some go into high school. Here is a list of all of the USATF sanctioned clubs in Iowa.