The Ipswich track and field program is tapping into standouts from the past to help sustain its current and future success.

The Tigers, who have a rich history in the sport under the guidance of head coach Todd Thorson, are also benefitting from past athletes who won multiple state championships as competitors.

Macy Heinz, the most decorated track and field athlete in Ipswich history, has volunteered to provide some coaching assistance, and former Edmunds Central state champion Bryce Malsam is a fixture on the coaching staff.

Both individuals jumped at the chance to work with Thorson.

“I was more than happy to come help. Obviously, any way I can get my track fix is very fun,” Heinz said. “He did not have to pull my arm much to come and help. Obviously, any time I can work with coach Thorson, it’s pretty special. He was such a big influence on me and still is a mentor.”

Interestingly, Malsam is the team’s pole vault coach despite having limited knowledge of the event until he went to Northern.

“I never thought I’d be a coach for pole vault. This is a totally different thing,” Malsam said. “When I became a multi at Northern I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do pole vault there. Wade Royer really helped me through there, and I’ve learned so much from him that allows me to have an attempt to even coach.”

Malsam, who farms, never realized at the time what would evolve through the years.

“Right away we thought just do part time,” Malsam said, “but the problem is you see the kids, you see the success, and you have to do it full time.”

For Heinz, volunteering allows the former Kansas State athlete to give something back to her alma mater.

“Ipswich did so much for me and my career,” Heinz said. “It’s just special to be home and kind of shape the younger athletes a little bit.”

Not only does Heinz help out on meet days, she provides an opportunity for Thorson to go watch his son, Taylor, who competes for Northern.

“I watched him run this year more than the other four years combined,” Thorson said, “and it’s because I trust to leave the kids and have her around to help.”

Thorson said that Malsam’s attitude and love for the sport rubs off on the athletes.

“It’s such a blessing to have this younger crew, and then Bryce’s knowledge of all these events,” Thorson said. “What separates him from the average coach is the passion. … He just loves it to the bone. The kids see that and feel that. They value that, too.”

Malsam said that a small school like Ipswich is fortunate enough to have multiple coaches to help out in a variety of areas.

“Most of these Class B schools only have two coaches and it’s just so tough,” he said. “You have all these events, you have all these athletes. We’re blessed that we can divide and conquer.”

When asked about the difference between competing and coaching, Heinz explained the challenges involved in each.

“I’d say they’re hard in different ways. Athletes here, they listen so good. They’re very easy to coach. They’re very coachable, good kids. So that’s good,” Heinz said. “There’s nerves and struggles in different ways, I think. I think the internal pressure, managing that, when you’re competing is a little harder, but the lack of control you have when other people are competing is challenging, too.”

Both Malsam and Heinz have instant credibility with their past accomplishments. Both try to impart as much wisdom and guidance as possible to help shape the current crop of Tigers.

Malsam said attitude carries a significant role for the athletes.

“Come and practice every day with a positive attitude helps so much. If you’re down in the dumps, it’s hard to get anything accomplished,” Malsam said. “It’s hard to be motivated. If you can come with a positive attitude, you can almost accomplish anything you want to do.”

Heinz still relies on the principles she learned while competing for the orange and black.

“I think kind of our big thing, Ipswich as a whole, and just for me in my career is just obviously, consistent hard work, surround yourself with good people, find a way to believe in yourself,” Heinz said. “I kind think those are the big three things to have a lot of success.”

Put the passion, knowledge and chemistry all together, and Ipswich has a track and field staff that is hard to match.

“We all slice it a little different, but in the end, we talk it out and come up with what we feel is best and we all give and take, which is so cool,” Thorson said. “That’s the nice thing to trust each other. It’s great to have.”

LEADING THE WAY

There are now six athletes who lead three open events this week including Northwestern’s Ella Boekelheide, who tops the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in Class B. Other triple event leaders are Tate Grabow of Hill City in the Class A 800, 1,600, and 3,200, Bergan Musser of Lennox in the Class A 100, 200 and long jump, Ellie Maddox of Sioux Falls Christian in the Class A 800, 1,600 and 3,200, Halle Braun of Sioux Falls Christian in the Class A 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 400, and Rush O’Neill of Bennett County in the 100, high jump and long jump in Class B.

There are a dozen athletes who top two open events including Deuel’s Oliver Fieber in the Class A 100 and 200, and Faulkton’s Spencer Melius in the Class B 110 hurdles and javelin.

BY THE NUMBERS

Sioux Falls Christian tops the team leaders by leading 10 events in Class A girls.

Other team leaders this week include Sioux Falls Lincoln in Class AA boys (eight events), Spearfish and Rapid City Stevens in Class AA girls (five events each), Hill City in Class A boys (four events), Philip in Class B boys (five events), and Bennett County in Class B girls (six events).