Several KCII area track teams will flock to Lone Tree tonight for a meet that will hold emotional significance to the Lion community. 

Lone Tree is dedicating the night to longtime coach Mike Kautz. The former teacher and head man of the girls’ track program was involved with the school for 44 years and shortly after passing away in 2016 he was inducted into the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame. Current girls coach Chad Shield tells KCII Sports how special of a dedication this will be. “It will be an honor to be a part of the first annual Mike Kautz Invitational. He was an outstanding teacher, coach, and role model. He had many top ten finishes in track, state qualifiers, and was a Hall of Famer. Coach Kautz’s family will be on hand before the meet as well as several Lone Tree girls that have competed for him over the years. It is important that we come out in a way that will make them all proud.”

Other area schools making the short trek to compete in the coed competition include Columbus Community, Highland, WACO, and Keota. The first annual Mike Kautz Invitational will get started at 4:30 p.m. this evening in Lone Tree. 

Photo Courtesy of Lone Tree Schools