Photo Courtesy of Iowa Association of Track Coaches
After one of the best seasons in Columbus Cross Country history, Wildcat head coach Steve Riley has been named Class 1A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches.
The Wildcat boys spent most of the season ranked in the top 15 of Class 1A in the weekly IATC team polls. The ‘Cats collected wins at meets at Hillcrest Academy, Sigourney, and Fort Madison. Columbus was third at the Southeast Iowa Superconference championships at Hillcrest. In the postseason, the Wildcats made history at the 1A State Qualifier at North Linn, taking the team title for the first time since 2002, with their entire lineup finishing in the top 19 of the race. Once at State, the Wildcats tied the best team finish in school history, placing sixth in Class 1A.
For the Columbus girls, Iris Garza tied a school record by qualifying for State in 1A for the third consecutive season, placing fourth at the North Linn qualifier and 29th in Fort Dodge. She was named Class 1A All-State by the IATC and Wildcat runner Isabel Rendon was a Class 1A Academic All-State Selection.
Riley was recognized along with 1A coaches Alex Oliver of Oakland, Riverside and Tim Stamp of Springville.