Ames High standout and future Iowa State football player and trackster Dustin Avey has been named Iowa’s top male track athlete in 1996.

Avey, who was one of 450,000 high school athletes selected to be considered for the national athlete of the year, received the Gatorade Circle of Champions National High School Track and Field Athletes of the Year award based on his stellar high school track performances.

In the spring, Avey ran the fastest 400-meter hurdle time in the history of Iowa and captured his second state 400 hurdle crown. Avey also won the 400 hurdles at Drake to go along with the 110-meter high hurdles. Avey has commited to ISU in the fall to compete in football and track.

“He’s a classy person and we sure are glad that we got him. He knew the track program at ISU was one of the best in the country, and he felt it was a perfect time to get involved with the turnaround at ISU.

He’ll do excellent in both sports. He wanted to do both and we’re sure going to let him,” McCarney said.

“We tracked him all through high school and decided early to offer him a scholarship. He accepted and made a commitment to me right away.” In high school Avey played defensive back and wideout to go along with his track efforts. “We’re going to start him out at defensive back and give him a real good shot. Nothing is settled. We have 29 practices before opening day and with his speed we’re not going to count him out. We’ll also put him on punt returns and kickoff returns to see if he’s got the knack to return kicks,” McCarney said.

McCarney also left the possibility of Avey playing on offense open. “Nothing is concrete. If we have to make a move we will. He was outstanding in high school at both positions. With a guy with his talent, it’s a good problem to have,” McCarney said.