A Mid-Prairie coaching legend makes his return to the track this spring. Mark Hostetler is the new, and former, Golden Hawk girl’s head track coach. Hostetler, who held the position from 2004 to 2009, takes over the program from Chris Tyler, who spent 13 seasons on the oval, guiding the Hawks to four Class 2A team state titles and one runner-up finish.

In Hostetler’s first six year stint, Mid-Prairie sent 39 events to state, with 21 of those scoring points in 2A. The Hawk’s best team finish at Drake Stadium was sixth place in 2008. Recently, he spoke with KCII Sports about why this was the right time for him to return and what has him most excited about the opportunity and upcoming season. “When I left, my children were about the same age as Chris Tyler’s. His concern was spending time with his children, and that was my concern back then. Now that three of my children are in college, one is in middle school and one is in high school, I have more time and support at home and on the farm. Coaching cross country and track is the opportunity to do what I love. This year there is a lot of variation on the team for each event and a lot of potential in our lineup.”

While Hostetler stepped away from the oval, he has been a steady presence on the cross country course where he has guided the Golden Hawks to six team state championships, one boys, five girls, with seven consecutive individual girls 2A champs. The Hawks wrapped up the indoor season Wednesday, with a conference title, at the River Valley Conference Championship meet at the University of Dubuque and start the outdoor track season March 30th at Mount Pleasant.