Corey Hartz learned a tough lesson a year ago.

The Sterling High School senior sprinter qualified for state his freshman and sophomore seasons. Last year he was academically ineligible for the track and field season.

This spring, Hartz is back on the track and grades are no longer an issue.

“I learned a lot last year,” said Hartz, the nephew of Sterling head coach Dennis Hartz. “That’s something that I can help out the younger guys with. I can tell them that they always need to remember that you need to keep your grades up.

“I still went to practice. It was really hard. It gave me a new look at things. I think I’ve changed a lot. I work a lot harder. My grades right now are pretty good.”

Hartz also knows that
grades are vital to his college opportunities.

“Grades are important for anything that you do,” he said. “I’m definitely looking at colleges that will benefit me academically and in sports.”

Coach Hartz likes the way Corey handled a rough situation.

“It kind of snuck up on us,” coach Hartz said. “We didn’t realize that was going to happen until it was too late. I just told him that it happened and we couldn’t change it, but that he had to work so he would be ready to go this year. And, that’s what he did. I’m proud of him.

“He did really well the first semester this year. There’s no problem with grades now.”

Corey thinks his previous state experience will help him during his senior campaign. He qualified as a freshman in the 200 meters in Class AA, running it in 22.76 seconds at the sectional. As a sophomore, Hartz qualified in 2A in the 100 (11.2) and as part of Sterling’s 1,600 relay.

“I’m hoping to get back to state again and place this time,” he said. “It’s been a thought since my freshman year to place at state. I think I have a good chance to do it this year.”

Also a standout running back in football, Corey would like to continue both his football and track careers at the college level.

“I’m undecided about my college plans so far,” he said. “The school I’ve been talking to a lot is the University of Dubuque. They’ve been talking to me about both football and track. I think doing both would be good for me, but if I have to choose one that will be fine too.”

Coach Hartz knew he had something special in Corey almost immediately.

“Back when we still had the two-class state system, he was one of the few freshman I saw qualify for state in the 200,” he said.