HENDERSON — Austin Stuhr and Ben Driewer see all those track team pictures in the gym at Heartland High School.
State champions, 1983. State champions, 1998. State champions, 1999. State champions, 2000. State champions, 2002.
But, nothing since and the two juniors for Heartland High School hope to change that sooner rather than later. Heading into the state meet in Omaha that starts tomorrow, Driewer leads Class D in the pole vault and Stuhr has a top-four time in each of the 100, 200 and 400.
“We definitely want to do what some of those other teams have done,” Stuhr said.
Their coach, Larry Vancura, is in all those pictures. For his part, the praise is high for his two junior leaders. A combined 12 athletes will represent Heartland at state this weekend, and none are seniors.
“To me, Austin is probably one of the hardest workers I have ever coached in track,” Vancura said. “You don’t ever have to worry about Austin being ready to go. He has done an excellent job this year.”
Comparing district times is always difficult, but Stuhr’s times are all medal worthy. He said facing tough competition all season, at both districts and in the Southern Nebraska Conference has been a bonus. He will also compete in the 400 relay with Noah Boyd, Lane Huebert and Kodjo Atikpohou.
Austin Stuhr of @hcsdogpound wins the 100 in 11.1. #BurkeBound #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/T9797Yjf3z
— Striv Sports (@strivsports) May 11, 2016
“It’s so much easier to know what to expect when you get to state, having faced good Class C and D competition all year,” he said. “Our season has gone well, and prepared us for state. The coaches do a great job of getting us ready to go.”
Driewer, meanwhile, has had a dream season that took a tough turn at districts. He injured his left leg and ankle in the long jump prior to the vault where his vault of 13’10” was a foot less than his school record set earlier this season. He finished third at state as a sophomore.
His coach said he is probably “50-50 to go at the state meet,” but Driewer begged to differ.
“Nothing will keep me from competing on Saturday,” he said.
He's not done yet! School record 14'10" for Driewer! At CNTC. #neb preps pic.twitter.com/vJhL1BVult
— Striv Sports (@strivsports) April 25, 2016
At the same time, Vancura was quick to praise the season that Driewer has had an expected he’d compete well in Omaha.
“He is as gritty a competitor as we have had in a long time,” Vancura said. “To have our school record is quite an accomplishment. And, I think coach (Corbin) Tessman has just done a fantastic job with him.”
Driewer, too, lauded the work he has been able to do with Tessman, who vaulted for Heartland and collegiately.
“He has had a huge impact on my improvement,” Driewer said. “He is fun to be around and has vaulted a bunch. I know I can trust him and I try to listen to every, single thing he says.”
For Vancura’s sake, he thinks Driewer has a chance to do big things even if hampered a bit by his injury.
“We have had a bunch of state champions here,” the coach said. “But one thing we have not had is an all-class champion. I think he is a kid who could do that. Hopefully we get him a little more healthy and he can give it a go.”
Field events begin in Class D on Friday morning at 8:30 with the track events set to start at 9 a.m.
