Iowa Officials Awards and Honors
Recipients by Year
2026 Awards and Honors
- Drake Relays High School Starter: Mark Tigges, Clive
2025 Awards and Honors
- Boys’ Starter of the Year: Al Ling, Tiffin
- Girls’ Starter of the Year: Tim Bell, Marshalltown
- Junior High Starter of the Year: Bruce Mitchell, Manchester
- Field Event Official: Tom Cahalan, Norway
- Track Official: Al Neppl, Ankeny
- CC Starter of the Year: Al Ling, Tiffin
- Regional Starter of the Year
- NW: Joel Grabinoski, Armstrong
- NE: Kevin Long, LaPorte City
- Central: Adam Tjeersdma, Grimes
- SW: Cindy Williams, Thurman
- SE: Rich Choponis, Seymour
- Friend of Track: Josh Gerber, Wayzata Minnesota
- Drake Relays High School Starter: John Zietlow, Manchester
Al Ling (Tiffin)
Tim Bell (Marshalltown)
Bruce Mitchell (Manchester)
Tom Cahalan (Norway)
Kevin Long (Northeast, LaPorte City), Adam Tjeersdma (Central, Grimes), Cindy Williams (Southwest, Thurman), Rich Choponis (Southeast, Seymour)
Josh Gerber
Al Neppl (Ankeny)
2024 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year-Jeff Cook-Pleasantville
- Boys Track Official of the Year-Tim Bell-Marshalltown
- Girls Track Official of the Year-Mike Gruver-Pella
- Junior High Starter of the Year-Kyle Peters-Waverly
- Track Official of the Year-Duane Harding-Alden
- Field Event Official of the Year-Al Geiger-Des Moines
- Friend of Track-Dick and Sharon Plants-Brooklyn
- Drake Relays Starters: Tim Thomas, Ames and Joe Toot, Nevada
2023 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Chris Suntken, Mason City
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Mark Tigges, Clive
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Kevin Long, La Porte City
- Junior High Starter of the Year: Josh Hildebrand, Iowa City
- Track Official of the Year: Ray Armel, West Union
- Field Event Official of the Year: Steve DeSerano, Cedar Falls
- Drake Relays Starter: Tom Hartigan, Treynor
2022 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Mike Hale, Council Bluffs
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Mike Dick, Urbandale
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Tim Thomas, Ames
- Junior High Official of the Year: Mike Gruver, Pella
- Track Official of the Year: Bill Pinckney, Cedar Rapids
- Field Event Official of the Year: Dave Tapps, Van Meter
- Drake Relays Starter: Rick Hall-Waverly
2021 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Terry Fischer, Cascade
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Timm Lamb, Ft. Madison
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Ray Armel, West Union
- Junior High Official of the Year: Jim Nichols, Storm Lake
- Track Official of the Year: Timm Lamb, Ft. Madison
- Field Event Official of the Year: Jan Grenko Lehman, Iowa City
- Drake Relays Starter: Bill Neal, Iowa City
2020 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Rick Hall, Waverly
- Boys Track Official of the Year: None
- Girls Track Official of the Year: None
- Junior High Official of the Year: None
- Track Official of the Year: None
- Field Event Official of the Year: None
Drake Relays Meet Cancelled
2019 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Kevin Long, La Porte City
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Al Robson, Scranton
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Curt Anderson, Paullina
- Junior High Track Official of the Year: Ron Barnett, Ames
- Track Official of the Year: Kevin Long, La Porte City
- Field Event Official of the Year: Doug Johanson, Johnston
- Drake Relays Starter: Gary O’Daniels, Creston
2018 Awards and Honors:
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Al Robson, Scranton
- Boys Track Official of the Year: James Smith, Mt. Ayr
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Al Robson, Scranton
- Junior High Official of the Year: Al Robson, Scranton
- Track Official of the Year: Jim Nichols, Storm Lake
- Field Event Official of the Year: Deb Anderson, Gilbert
- Drake Relays Starter: Steve Rutz, Farley
2017 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Joe Toot, Nevada
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Stan Kirchhoff, Newton
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Chris Suntken, Mason City
- Junior High Official of the Year: Tom Cahalan, Norway
- Track Official of the Year: Randy Wilson, Knoxville
- Field Event Official of the Year: Sara Biscoglia, Clive
- Drake Relays Starter: Mike Stanley, Harlan
2016 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Cornie Wassink, Alton
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Chris Suntken, Mason City
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Mark Tigges, Clive
- Junior High Official of the Year: Bob Saunders, Iowa City
- Track Official of the Year: John Casebolt, Marion
- Field Event Official of the Year: Randy Baker, Le Grand
- Drake Relays Starter: Fran Long, Ft. Dodge
2015 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Curt Anderson, Paullina
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Rich Choponis, Seymour
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Larry McHone, Gilbert
- Junior High Official of the Year: Mark Tigges, Clive
- Track Official of the Year: Gary O’Daniels, Creston
- Field Event Official of the Year: Gary Paulsen, Ogden
- Drake Relays Starter: Terry Sudrla, Sioux City
2014 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Tim Bell, Marshalltown
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Curt Anderson, Paullina
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Mike Gruver, Pella
- Junior High Official of the Year: Roger Poage, Fort Madison
- Track Official of the Year: Ira Dunsworth, Davenport
- Field Event Official of the Year: Dick Juhl, Dike
- Drake Relays Starter: Dave Suntken, Clear Lake
2013 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Bill Neal, Williamsburg
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Joe Toot, Nevada
- Girls Track Official or the Year: Fran Long, Fort Dodge
- Junior High Official of the Year: Chris Suntken, Mason City
- Track Official of the Year: John Casebolt, Clive
- Field Event Official of the Year: Tim Sweet, DeSoto
- Drake Relays Starter: Joe Toot, Nevada
2012 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: James Patterson, Cedar Rapids
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Bill Neal, Williamsburg
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Joe Toot, Nevada
- Junior High Official of the Year: Clarence Dawson, Janesville
- Track Official of the Year: Ray Gaul, Ogden
- Field Event Official of the Year: Jay Gruenwald, Williamsburg
- Drake Relays Starter: Cornie Wassink, Alton
2011 Awards and Honors
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Mike Gruver, Pella
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Fran Long, Fort Dodge
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Tim Sanderson, Keystone
- Junior High Official of the Year: Bruce Johnson, Hudson
- Track Official of the Year: Jeff Richards, Polk City
- Field Event Official of the Year: Cindy Schmell, Des Moines
- Drake Relays Starter: Larry McHone, Gilbert
2010 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Tim Thomas, Holstein
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Ray Wilden, Clinton
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Bill Neal, Williamsburg
- Junior High Official of the Year: Bob Bowen, Middletown
- Track Official of the Year: Bill Ebert, Washington
- Field Event Official of the Year: Jim Walczyk, Des Moines
2009 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Mike Stanley, Avoca
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Bob Saunders, Iowa City
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Steve Rutz, East Dubuque
- Junior High Official of the Year: Keevin Koch, Fairfield
- Track Official of the Year: Tom Epperly, Pella
- Field Event Official of the Year: Jim Crosman, Dallas Center
2008 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Ron Werling, Indianola
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Tim Sanderson, Keystone
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Mike Stanley, Avoca
- Junior High Official of the Year: Doug Johnson, Cedar Falls
- Track Official of the Year: Dennis Anderson, Bloomfield
- Field Event Official of the Year: Larry Almond, Independence
2007 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Tim Sanderson, Keystone
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Steve Rutz, East Dubuque
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Charles Liston, Marion
- Junior High Official of the Year: Rick Hall, Waverly
- Track Official of the Year: Ken Weller, Pella
- Field Event Official of the Year: Al Neumann, Earlham
2006 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Fran Long, Fort Dodge
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Mike Stanley, Avoca
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Dave Suntken, Clear Lake
- Junior High Official of the Year: Duane Brand, Sully
2005 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Terry Thompson, Ames
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Evan Knapp, Cherokee
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Ira Dunsworth, Davenport
- Junior High Official of the Year: Bill Ebert, Washington
2004 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Dave Suntken, Clear Lake
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Ira Dunsworth, Davenport
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Mike Stanley, Avoca
2003 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Steve Rutz, Cascade
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Dave Suntken, Clear Lake
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Cornie Wassink, Alton
2002 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Robert Saunders, Iowa City
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Chuck Liston, Marion
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Ray Wilden, Clinton
2001 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Larry McHone, Ames
- Boys Track Official of the Year: Cornie Wassink, Alton
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Gerald Kuiper, Pella
2000 Officials of the Year
- Cross Country Official of the Year: Skip Harsh, Adel
- Boys Track Official of the Year: John Lowry, Marion
- Girls Track Official of the Year: Terry Thompson, Ames
Join the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Community Today!
