Practices for track and golf have been underway for a few weeks and the outdoor seasons are scheduled to begin soon, and three out of the four teams have some new yet familiar faces leading the teams.
MV alumni Cy Huber and Keith Zietlow and experienced coach Eric Conner have taken the helm of a spring sports team this year.
Coach Huber, a 2022 graduate, is the new boys’ track coach. He’s assisted by veteran coaches Pat Meehan and Curt Feldt.
Huber, a state-qualifying track and cross country runner, is sharing his talents with a new generation of runners. “My area of expertise would primarily be in the distance and sprinting events,” he noted. “During my freshman and sophomore years of high school I gained most of my distance running knowledge from cross country and longer distance track races. By my junior and senior year I transitioned more towards the sprinting side of running with 800s, 400s, and 200s becoming my forte.”
It’s that experience and success that led him back to the track. “I knew that this opportunity was going to come up this year and I figured why not try something relatively new,” he stated. “I’ve always enjoyed running in track & field as an athlete, but the perspective is totally different when coaching.”
Coach Huber explained that his age does make the debut of his coaching career unique. “I’m looking forward to getting to work with the current juniors and seniors who I ran with in high school and also getting to see what sophomores and freshmen have to offer. It is not often that you’re able to coach at the high school you went to and on top of that get to coach some of the people you went to high school with.”
Keith Zietlow, a 2001 MV graduate, brings a wealth of golfing experience to the girls golf team.
“I have been playing golf since I was six,” Coach Zietlow explained. Maquoketa Valley started the golf his junior year of high school. After high school, he played on Wartburg College’s golf team all four years. After graduating college he became an assistant golf professional and spent two years at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls during the summer and worked at Collier’s Reserve Country Club in Naples, FL during the winter months. Eventaully, he took an opening at Manchester Golf Course as Director of Golf (Pin Oak Links currently) and worked there for three years. During that time he ran a junior golf program, numerous tournaments/outings, and also gave private golf lessons.
And now it’s time to return to where his first team play began. “I felt the timing was better than it has been in the past with work and family, Coach Zietlow explained. “Also with my daughter currently in 6th grade, it won’t be long and she’ll be in high school playing so I wanted to get a head start on building the program.”
Interesting note: The snow leopard head cover pictured in the team photos is actually one that Coach Zietlow used when he was in high school. This 24-year-old relic is named Sabbatini.
Coach Zietlow said he’s excited to bring his knowledge of golf and start to build the foundation for a new era for girls golf at Maquoketa Valley. “A few minor tweaks here and there can make a big impact in the golf swing,” he noted. “I can promise we will have fun this season!”
And Coach Conner barely had time to hang up his basketball whistle before the golf season began!
What made him decide to become the new boys golf coach? “Golf is a very unique sport to play and coach,” he explained. “I have been wanting to coach golf for a long time, so when Coach Besler talked to me about being done, I knew the time was right.”
Coach Conner brings varied golf experience to the program. He played all four year while in high school at Ed-Co and also worked at Dick’s Sporting Goods while in college in the golf department and gained a lot of knowledge about equipment and other things from the Golf Pro that was on staff at the time. He was a volunteer assistant coach with Coach Zieser at Ed-Co while substitute teaching prior to getting the PE teaching position at MV. “I enjoy playing golf as much as my schedule allows in the spring and summer time as well,” he added.
Coach Conner said he’s optimistic about this new role. “I am really excited about working with our golfers at MV. I hope that I can bring some insight to their game and help them improve throughout the season. I am most excited about getting to work with some of my PE students in elementary and middle school that I have not been able to teach or coach in a number of years again.”