Washington alum Lance Sobaski shows out at Wartburg

A little over a year ago, Lance Sobaski was representing the Washington Demons at the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships in Des Moines.

The Washington alum was one of the top distance runners in the state and was integral in helping the Demons to a top five finish in Class 3A in 2022.

While his high school career ended there, it was just the dawn of what has become a fantastic start to his collegiate career at Division III Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Sobaski went from running strictly around the oval in high school to competing in the steeplechase for the Knights. It was a season to remember for the freshman.

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Not only did Sobaski help Wartburg to 10th-place at the NCAA Championships with a third overall finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, he did it in record breaking fashion.

Sobaski’s 8:51.29 was the fastest time recorded by a freshman in Division III history and ranks top 20 all-time in the event.

It’s second all-time in Wartburg history. With all that, Sobaski was named DIII Freshman of the Year by The Stride Report.

“D3 freshman of the year is an exciting honor,” Sobaski said. “I am blessed to receive that title, but I am enthused to keep working to accomplish even greater things with my team because a team accomplishment is a lot cooler than any individual achievement.”

Sobaski earned All-American honors for his performance.

With that he also earned a spot in the Under-20 United States National Meet at the historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Sobaski finished the race with a fourth overall finish with a time of 9:01.09. Competitors from Oregon, Michigan, Notre Dame and Iowa all took part as well.

For Sobaski, competing in the national event was a surreal feeling.

“The experience of running in Eugene, Oregon on Hayward field was mesmerizing,” Sobaski said. “I was in awe when I walked into the stadium. Being able to compete on the same track as some of the greatest to ever do it was a surreal feeling. Having Mike Jay, the voice of the Drake Relays and the Iowa High School State Track meet, announcing my Steeplechase race was special. I soaked in my time there and look forward to going back in the future.”

With such a successful season, Sobaski credits his coaches and teammates for guiding him along the way.

“I attribute a successful first year at Wartburg to Coach Chapman, Coach Hannah, and Coach Newsom along with every single one of my teammates that work hard, keep me accountable, and had a whole lot of fun doing it everyday,” he said. “The culture at Wartburg is something that if you buy into it, it buys into you. So, I would definitely like to credit the culture of excellence that has been built for many decades down the line which I get to be a part of forever.”

Sobaski also says his time at Washington was integral in preparing him for the next level.

“The biggest thing that helped me transition from a Demon to a Knight in the classroom and on the track is the support of my teammates and coaches, he said. ”As a Demon, I had phenomenal coaches and teammates that I could count on for literally anything, and I knew I needed that in a college. I reflected on all the support that came from Washington in Coach Haworth, Coach Salow, and Coach Roth for my running career in high school; Along with playing Basketball during high school and having such a strong family built there as well, I knew what I valued when it came to being a part of team. So, having tremendous coaches and teammates at Wartburg have made me realize that surrounding yourself with like-minded, passionate, and driven individuals is how I am able to become the best version of myself.“

That has made the experience much more enjoyable.

“I have also found it brings so much more joy and excitement to the sport of running when you do it with one another, and when you’re a part of something far greater than yourself,” Sobaski said. “My college decision to be at Wartburg is solidified more and more everyday which makes me super grateful for having the right guidance to get me where I am today.”

Sobaski also earned All-Academic honors. To qualify, student-athletes must own at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

Sobaski says he’s looking forward to next season and is looking to reach even further goals.

“I am looking forward this year is to keep chasing goals and having a blast doing it with the ‘W’ on my chest,” Sobaski said. “The team environment is going to be something special this year and I am looking forward to accomplishing more goals. I look forward to continuing to make Demon Nation proud.”