State champ signs with Stanford

Mount Ayr’s Ryce Reynolds is headed west next year after signing Thursday to run track and field with Stanford University in the fall.

“He’s found an exceptional opportunity because he’s an exceptional person,” Mount Ayr track and field coach Brad Elliott said. “He’s incredibly competitive not only externally but internally. I think his intrinsic drive is unmatched.”

Reynolds said he went on four official visits, touring the University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Arkansas and Stanford University.

While he enjoyed all the coaches and the visits, the final one stuck out.

“The campus was just absolutely beautiful. I really liked the coach when I was there,” he said. “I felt like I fit in with all the track runners on the team when I was there too. It left a lasting impact on me.”

In addition to the athletic fit, Reynolds is excited for the opportunity to earn a Stanford degree.

He’s going in undecided, but has considered exercise science, pre-med or computer science.

Elliott said working with Reynolds is a pleasure. “When you communicate things with him, he either understands right away or he’s going to go home and come back tomorrow with an idea about it,” Elliott said. “He’s a sponge when it comes to doing things the right way.”

Reynolds is the only Iowa high school athlete in history to win a state title in both the 400 and 400m hurdles twice. He set a new state record last year in each event in a time of :48.21 and :52.7, respectively.

He also anchored the 2023 distance and sprint medley relays which finished first and second, respectively.

With one season to go, Reynolds is sure to continue making history.

“I’m really excited to keep improving on my times and working hard,” Reynolds said. “I’m really excited for it and I can’t wait for any of it.”