54-year-old Comet record survives Tamayo’s PB discus throw

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — In 1968, we had yet to put a man on the moon.

But Charles City, nonetheless, had a track and field program back then.

Want proof? 

Peruse the school’s T&F record board on the side of the concession stand at Comet Field. There, you’ll see that Dick Lacour’s school-record disc throw of 161 feet, ½ inch achieved in 1968 is the longest held school record for both boys and girls.

During Tuesday’s Comet Relays — incidentally an annual track event hosted by Charles City which dates back further than 1968 — Charles City senior Tino Tamayo came a ½ inch short of matching Lacour’s record with a toss of 161 feet even to best all competitors from the 14-team field.

Needless to note, the effort was Tamayo’s personal-best and will likely assure him another berth to the Drake Relays at the end of this month — qualifying deadline is April 21. Last year, Tamayo made the Drake Relays cut for the discus.

Among the Comet school records more recently posted on the board are those set by Charles City senior Ian Collins last year in the high jump and long jump — events he won at state last season.

During the Comet Relays, Collins was the top long jumper with a leap of 20 feet, 10 inches. But during an off night by his standards in the high jump, Collins needed a third attempt to clear 6 feet which matched Forest City’s Dakota Carlson for top honors.

Charles City senior Jacob Vais won his 800 race with a time of 2 minutes, 7.39 seconds. Vais’s 800 was 3 ½ seconds faster than what Saint Ansgar standout Riley Witt ran to win his race in his division.

Vais also helped the Comets win the “Orange Division” 800 sprint medley relay as his anchor leg capped a winning time of 1:40.09.

Other members of that winning relay include Jakob Sindlinger, Mario Hoefer and Jalil Jones.

A day after the meet, Vais and Sindlinger signed their letters of intent to continue their running careers at North Iowa Area Community College. Vais, whose father used to coach at NIACC, will run track and cross country; Sindlinger will run track.

The meet was split into two divisions: Gray and Orange. Unofficial results had Saint Ansgar winning the Gray Division and Forest City edging Charles City to win the Orange Division.

* On Tuesday, Charles City’s girls team competed at the Crestwood Cadet Girls Meet and placed fourth amid the 12-team field with 77 team points behind meet champion Decorah (173), Crestwood (93) and Nashua-Plainfield (82).

Charles City senior Lydia Staudt won the long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 9 3/4 inches.

Charles City sophomore Keely Collins on the high jump with a top height of 5 feet, 4 inches.