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Haack leaves behind strong legacy
Senior has left his mark across several sports
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO— Iowa Valley’s Caleb Haack had his baseball season cut short, but for good reason.
The Tigers’ senior played his last game Wednesday, as he prepares to leave for summer football camp at Northern Illinois University.
Haack was only able to play nine games, but it was important to him to play what he could, when he could have easily decided to not go out at all.
“It was important for me to still play this first half of the season,” Haack said. “To be with my teammates, and represent Iowa Valley in the best way possible, while taking every opportunity I can while I have the chance.”
The Tigers went 4-5 with Haack, and having him around is something that meant a lot for everybody.
“Having Caleb for these first games of the season was very important for not only the team but for him as a leader,” Iowa Valley coach Sam Rohovit said.
“This says so much about his character and how he always finishes what he starts. Having him around to keep the young players motivated and strive for their best versions of themselves is amazing.”
Haack, in his stint, kept the main thing, the main thing while he played.
“The countdown is definitely always there,” said Haack. “But we’re more focused on reaching our goals, playing with each other and growing as teammates in order to get the most out of something that was cut a little short.”
Haack leaves behind what has been a storied career not just in baseball, but in all sports he played for the Tigers.
“I have had the honor of coaching Caleb for all four years of his high school (baseball) career and he has had an amazing one,” Rohovit said. “He started pitching for us his freshman year and we never looked back at making him our ace starter.”
Haack played in 78 career baseball games for the Tigers, totaling a 2.97 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 31 pitching appearance, and also batted .365 at the plate.
Achievements in other sports include:
- Iowa Valley’s all-time leader in points (1,639), rebounds (1,021) and blocks (353) in basektball
- Nine-time state medalist in track & field field, including a state championship in the 4X400 relay this season. Holds the school record in the 200, and as a member of three relays.
- 8-player first-team all state football selection in 2024. Totaled 44 tackles senior year and 59 career catches for 1,308 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Haack leaves behind a strong legacy, as one of the best to represent Iowa Valley.
“Being able to call myself an Iowa Valley Tiger means everything to me,” Haack said. “There’s always been so much support from the whole community and I’ve enjoyed learning and developing from all of my coaches and teammates not just as an athlete, but as a person.”
“Being able to play across multiple sports with these coaches and teammates is an experience that I would choose over anything.”
As Haack departs, the wave of young Tigers’ boys athletes, who have helped bring success across several sports, will look to continue the momentum.
“The legacy he leaves behind will be around to forever encourage the players that will surely follow in his footsteps,” Rohovit said.
