By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette 

In my introductory column, I wrote in the last paragraph that I was approaching it the only way I knew how — with 100% effort and a willingness to fail. I just didn’t think the failing part would come so soon.

I wrote roughly 80% of the column about how the ACGC and Panorama track teams had been dominating their respective school record books in recent weeks. And, while I was correct to some degree, I was wrong to an even greater degree. I misattributed some records to athletes, and, somehow, even missed a few.

The column can be found HERE, with the corrections. Thank you to Panorama’s AD and head boys track and field coach, Bruce Dahlhauser, who corrected me. Oddly enough, I mentioned him in the same column as someone who has helped be accurate in my sports reporting. It was only fitting that he be the one who pointed out my mistake. Another thanks to Panorama girls track and field coach, Greg Thompson, and ACGC’s girls and boys track coaches, Jacob Lacey and Cody Matthewson (great first name), who helped me square down the correct records and resources for future school records.

Betty Cooper, who does an incredible job photographing local sports, broke her foot recently. Yet, Betty still managed to wheel around to capture some great soccer and track photos. Roll on, Betty, and get better soon!

The West Central Activities Conference meets and competitions have been the focus of ACGC and Panorama this week. When interviewing coaches for our sports guides, I ask each of them what the competition level is like in the WCAC. I ask this because it is something a sports fan reading about their team would want to know, plus, I was curious — since my knowledge of Iowa high school sports resides around the Des Moines metro.

These coaches all give the same answer, for every sport, boys and girls. It’s tough. One thing you might not find in a lot of conferences throughout Iowa is the size discrepancies you see in the WCAC. Schools like Des Moines Christian and Van Meter reach 3A in some sports, and there are teams in the WCAC who compete in class A. The most important factor here is that none of these coaches use that as an excuse. They all essentially tell me, “This is the level, this is the competition, and this is where we need to be at.”

Here’s how ACGC and Panorama performed at their conference meets this week.

Panorama

• Boys track and field: 10^th
• Girls track and field: 7^th
• Boys golf: 3^rd
• Girls golf: 7^th

ACGC

• Boys track and field: 1^st
• Girls track and field: 10^th
• Boys golf: 6^th
• Girls golf: 8^th

Expect talent from these programs to compete in the state-qualifying and district competitions coming soon. I know I will be watching. Reach out with comments, complaints, ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.