The Greene County Ram Relays at Linduska Field in Jefferson begin today at 5 p.m. The coed track and field meet will have 19 events for girls and 19 events for boys, just like so many others around the state. This meet isn’t exactly like all the rest, and one reason is certain events are named after past greats.

The Joe Rogers 100 meter dash for boys is such an event. It’s named after the 1930 Jefferson High School graduate, who later went on to a Hall of Fame career coaching high school football in Benton Harbor, Michigan. While running for the Ramblers, as Jefferson was known in those days, Rogers was Iowa’s fastest sprinter, winning the 100 yard dash. He also anchored Jefferson to the title in the 880 yard relay, and that unit went on to finish second in a national meet in Chicago. He used his speed on the football field as well, and the football Ramblers did not lose a game during his junior and senior seasons.

 

 

 

Ram track & field seniors will also be recognized at today’s meet.