Iowa 2025 Track & Field Thread

It seems this is indeed his approach, and focus of the season seems to be 3200m and up.

He did 6x1 mile yesterday for a workout after a morning tempo, and had some very impressive splits considering it was around 38 mph wind gusts in Cedar Falls, and most of the state yesterday with the minimum wind being around 25. He was something like 4:50s for the first 3 and 4:40s for the last 3. I wonder how close he will be able to get to the 10k record, and if he has thought about the U20 championships in june.

I’m afraid Merrick is making some mistakes in his training and goal setting. This is April of his Jr. track season. His 1600 PR is 4:14 from his freshman year and he’s never won a state championship in track or XC (indoors hardly counts, it’s not a bona fide state championship). He should be focused on running 1600/3200 as fast as possible and competing at Drake and State first and foremost, not publicly declaring a super ambitious goal for an out of state 10k in June…

I’m 100% rooting for him like I am all of these Iowa kids, I just think he’s making some youthful mistakes.

For comparison,Rudy Chopa ran a 4:04 (converted 1600) the year he set that high school 10,000 record.

I'm also rooting for Merrick to do big things this spring, next year, and at CU. But he seems to forget that he has all the competition he needs right here in Iowa.

There are a bunch of Iowa kids doing big things. This thread fixates on just a small handful, which is a shame. The truth is, you don't know who will continue to develop at the next level. Bella Heikes is a great example, from 7th in 4a 1500 to second in the Big 12. Meanwhile some of the more high profile Iowa kids haven't had success in college.

15 miles of training on a school day at 17 years old would make me nervous as a college coach.

Teams have about 3 meets left to qualify for Drake relays. Current cutoffs are unimpressive.

2010 called and they are shocked that you would say that.

There will be a slew of new qualifiers in the next 10 days, there always is.

Hope you are correct. Some events are really off.

So you come across as bashing Merrick about his goals because he has an after season race planned, but don’t mention naumen who raced Nike nationals instead of staying in Iowa and racing the competition he has right here, weird, no mention of ten pas going to Addias nationals, and now let’s here your thoughts on Clair helmers not running her Iowa senior season. Glad these kids make their own choices instead of listening to let’s run.

What events are really off?

Nauman and Ten Pas ran meets that prepared them to perform well at the state meet. Merrick seems to be preparing for a 10k postseason race.

What is going on with Helmers?

But there’s supposedly all the competition right here in Iowa right? 9.04 indoors and Merrick’s not prepared well? Helmers ran college 5k yesterday, not allowed unless she gave up eligibility

Doubtful. Nauman and Ten Pas only have competition in 800 and 1600 against one another. And Nauman will win 3200. But people keep saying that Merrick is training for a 10k while those two are training for Drake and state.

Helmers is committed to Nebraska. Good for her if she is moving on from high school running.

My point, Merrick is looking at 10k after season because I’m sure that’s what college wants him, for but bad on him on running his state season and 10k afterwards, which if you know anything about coaching would understand 10k training will still get a 3200 time, might give up some time in 1600. But good on helmers for ditching Iowa season according to you. Which I think good on her as I’m sure Nebraska is looking at her for 5k and up. But Good on Merrick as well for what he wants after season and in his future. Iowa needs to change law and allow someone like Helmers to run a 5k then still compete in state stuff. If she runs one meet and makes Drake what did it hurt to be in a 5k? Then if she runs the qualifier for state and makes it, same thing let her run.

Doubtful? What’s doubtful? Nauman would have had his hands full with Dunham in 3200 in Ames.

Isn't a sanctioned meet hosted by ighsau and ihsaa member schools with exception of Drake Relays for obvious reasons?

He said he was 100% rooting for him. Why are you so defensive? He has an opinion. You dont want to hear it.

Not defensive, pointing out what’s good for one should be good for all, not making a post saying someone is making mistakes in his training when He’s obviously doing what he wants. My opion is 10k training seems to be working in 3200 as well, cause if you watched Ames meet in person or live stream as I did, he got out and was on 9:00-9:04 from gun and easily was sub 9 already if occasion presented itsself. And I assume by 10k training he just hasn’t incorporated and 400’s, 800’s for speed yet and in next couple races probably can drop a 4:15 on said 10k work. really if your not going after fast 800/1600 indoors there’s no reason for speed yet, it’s early.

Not sure what you mean?

Sometimes people have opinions based on experiences of coaching athletes for a long time. Statistically, many overtrained teenagers struggle with continued improvement/development beyond hs in several areas for a variety of reasons. Maybe young Merrick is special and different than most, we shall see in time. Harding states his concerns based on experience and expresses his hopes for the athlete based on traditional pathways to success. You can take this as hes picking on an individual or that he would wish the same for all without calling out every individual he may or may not know anything about. Its up to you. Just focus on the message and dont take it personal. Its not about you.