Stoakes makes G-R history

DES MOINES – Unlike most of the spring track season, it was perfect weather for the Iowa High School Track and Field meet at Drake Stadium May 22-24. But for more reasons than just the weather, Gladbrook-Reinbeck boys’ track coach Andy McQuillen couldn’t say enough about the great experience this year’s Rebel team had at the state meet.
“We had a great weekend at Drake Stadium,” Coach McQuillen said. “From Eric Stoakes capturing the state title in the 400-meter low hurdles to the 4 x 800 team getting fifth place from the slow heat, it was an awesome weekend for G-R track.”
Stoakes returned to the state meet as the highest performing underclassman in the 400-meter hurdles last season with a seventh place finish, to take the title as a sophomore this season with his winning time of 55.03. The feat makes Stoakes the first Gladbrook-Reinbeck state track champion since Ryan Harms in 1995.
“It just feels amazing to get back out here again and take the state championship,” he said. “When I crossed it was like, what was my time? When I saw that time I was relieved.”
“It feels pretty amazing,” he said. “I know my coach is going to be happy. My parents and everyone else are going to be really excited.”
 

For more of this story, see the May 29 Grundy Register.