Iowa boys' state track: OABCIG's Cooper DeJean starts quest for 30 points on high note
Matthew Bain
Travis Chizek was as an assistant track and field coach at OABCIG eight years ago.
That was when Trever Ryen broke all kinds of records for the Falcons before running one year of track at Northern Iowa, and then piling up 1,048 receiving yards over three years with Iowa State football. Ryen was, it felt like at the time, a "once-in-a-lifetime athlete" to coach, Chizek said.
"And then Cooper shows up," Chizek added.
Chizek, now the head track coach at OABCIG, is talking about Cooper DeJean, one of the state's elite athletes who is headed to Iowa next year to play football.
DeJean amassed 62 total touchdowns and 4,964 total yards at quarterback while leading the Falcons to the Class 1A football state title; he also logged 53.5 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back. In basketball, DeJean averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while leading OABCIG to a 21-2 record.
And, surprise, he's also a standout in track.
DeJean entered the Iowa state track meet leading 2A in the long jump, and he was second in the 100 and 200 meters. He's competing in all three events this weekend and has a legitimate shot to earn 30 individual points, a rare feat at any level.
He got off to a great start Thursday, winning the long jump at 23 feet, 7.5 inches.
That put him in rarified air for incoming Iowa football players. Former Hawkeye great Tim Dwight — renowned for his track background — jumped 23 feet, 11 inches when he was a track star at Iowa City High.
"It was really important to get out here and get the nerves out of my way a little bit," DeJean said afterward.
Nerves? For an athlete as talented as DeJean? Yes, Chizek said. It's actually common. Chizek said, despite his dominant performances, DeJean still gets nervous before big events. And Chizek said that's usually a sign he's about to perform well.
That's one of the qualities that makes DeJean as accomplished as he is, Chizek said. He can channel those nerves like very few people can. It's what separates him from talented athlete to Division I, Power Five football athlete.
"He’s just special," Chizek said. "Not only is he a great athlete, he’s an unbelievable competitor. By having a crowd here to cheer him on, I think he can put on a show. He’s very capable of it."
About 10 minutes after winning the long jump, DeJean ran in the 200 prelims, qualifying fifth with a time of 22.64 seconds. His season-best time is 21.92 seconds, which checks in at second in 2A behind Unity Christian's Logan Franken (21.84 seconds); Franken qualified second for the 200 final, which takes place Saturday morning.
DeJean also ran in the 100 prelims Thursday, qualifying first with a time of 10.98 seconds. His season-best time is 10.66 seconds, second-best in 2A behind Underwood's Brayden Wolland (10.60 seconds). The 2A 100 final takes place Saturday morning, about an hour before the 200.
DeJean knows he's got a chance to net 30 points and put on arguably the performance of the weekend at the Blue Oval. He's remaining calm and humble, but he also isn't shying away from the possibility.
"It’d mean a lot. There’s a lot of work left to be done here yet this weekend. So I’m just gonna go out there and run my race," he said. "There is a little bit (of pressure) with everybody talking about it, but I’m just gonna go out and try to do my thing."
DeJean said Iowa football coaches have been following his track and field success this year.
This will be his last time competing in track and field.
And his last time competing in any sport for OABCIG, where he's become a local legend in Battle Creek, Ida Grove and the surrounding communities.
"It hasn’t really hit me yet that this is the last time I’ll represent OABCIG," he said. "But it’s a good start to the weekend and hopefully we can keep the momentum going."
Matthew Bain covers recruiting and pretty much anything else under the sports sun for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.