By Justin James

Bonsall is the head of the men’s and women’s track and field team, and he made the journey to Pittsburg, Missouri, for the national meet. However, the athletes that competed in Pittsburg all compete in events that Bonsall does not personally coach. Instead, those jobs belong to the individual events coaches.

 Lonny Polacek is  assistant coach for the pole vault and high jump squads.

Meanwhile, Dane Tobey, a former Loper and All-American in the throws, sat down , prior to the team’s departure with all the coaches and athletes going to get their take on what the plan was going into the 2018 indoor track and field national championship.

I had an opportunity to sit and interview Tobey along with student athlete Jake Bartling, a multiple time national qualifier in the throws.

 Tobey, a former Loper who, during his college career, which spanned between 2005 to 2011, saw a fair amount of success. Some of his accolades include eight time All-American in the shot put, the 2010. In fact, he was the national champion in shot put.

During the interview, Coach Tobey mentioned Bartling was a multi-sport athlete, and he played both football and track and field for the Lopers.

The competition for Jake’s event, the shot put, is a tightly contested one, with the top 14 athletes having just a three-foot difference in their throwing distances. Currently the leader in D2 throws 60’11,’’ and Bartling, who is 14th at 58.’ That means it’ll be a close call; whoever has the best day and the most luck will take home the title.

Coach Tobey is confident that Bartling will compete at a high level for the last meet of the indoor season due to his experience as a dual-athlete

“Jake’s experiences and ability to maintain grades and competencies as a dual-student athlete will help him meet the demand that is required of him.”