The Columbus Wildcats are trying to live up to some previous highs as they take their marks in the new track and field season. Columbus is coming off a second-place finish as a team at the Class 1A boys’ state championships, but the Wildcats will have much of that roster back in 2024.

That includes senior Kaden Amigon, who is coming off a season where he finished third in the state in the long jump and the 200-meter dash, as well as earning a state medal in the 100 meters. Amigon was also part of a 4-by-100-meter relay team that finished second in Class 1A and a shuttle hurdles relay squad that took third at state.

Two other returning members of those relay teams are junior Riley Kaalberg and sophomore Alexander Rees. Rees will also be looking to make it back to state in the 110-meter hurdles, while senior Russell Coil returns for Columbus and will be looking to add to his state medals in the shot put and discus toss.

While the Wildcat boys will also have back athletes like distance-running senior Damian Vergara and relay-running junior Jon Miranda, the girls will look to returners like juniors Ariana Vergara and Claire Humphreys and sophomores Naveiah Garza and Jocelyn Hernandez to lead the way after winning Southeast Iowa Super Conference medals last year.

After running at the Dickinson Relays last week at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Columbus’ home meet this coming Monday will be their first of the outdoor track season.