How friends and family helped Ames senior Charlie Bennett navigate a bumpy road in track

It has been a rough road for Ames senior boys track and field athlete Charlie Bennett over the past year.

Bennett suffered from COVID-19 complications during his junior year that set him back in both cross country and track.

But he managed to come back and compete in cross country during the fall, and this spring he is back at it in track and field. Things still have not been easy for Bennett, who said he was a little under the weather during Thursday's Class 4A state qualifying track and field meet at Norwalk, but he was thrilled to get the chance to compete for a shot at state.

“There have been times I thought of quitting,” Bennett said. “It’s been nothing but perseverance. It’s all worth it when I get to come out here and rip an 800 with my guys.”

More: How Charlie Bennett overcame health issues to get back to top form in cross country

One person who has been especially supportive of Bennett during his tough year-plus stretch of health issues is Ames coach Erica Lynn Douglas.

Lynn Douglas's late father Steve Lynn and Bennett's late grandfather Bill Bergan used to coach track and field together at Iowa State. Bergan was Lynn Douglas's godfather.

“We both feel like we have guardian angels cheering us on,” Lynn Douglas said. “Not something everyone may understand, but it’s special to us.”

Lynn Douglas helped Bennett win one small battle at a time during his recovery.

“Last year I’d keep telling Charlie progress is progress, and as long and hard as it’s been, Charlie kept focusing on that,” Lynn Douglas said. “He has great family support that journeyed alongside him, and they have done all they can to get him healthy. For those of us that know him and all he’s been through, it’s just pride and joy seeing him race again. It makes all of us emotional.”

Bennett is thankful that his coach always had his back.

“She’s been the best,” Bennett said. “She’s always there for me. She’s been an awesome coach.”

Another person who has helped push Bennett through the past year is Zachary Lenkaitis, one of Bennett's teammates in cross country and track. Lenkaitis had health issues of his own this year, with multiple stress fractures forcing him to miss the cross country season.

“Our friendship has grown exponentially over the past year, and a big part of that is us battling through setbacks and overcoming barriers together,” Lenkaitis said. “We’ve been together the entire way through, and we have more to do.”

Lenkaitis ran with Bennett during the boys 4x800-meter relay at the qualifying meet. Erik Anderson and freshman Hezekiah Johnson ran the other two legs.

Ames placed fourth in 8:12.71.

“We kind of squeaked into state last year,” said Anderson. “Hopefully we can do it this year.”

Anderson is a senior classmate of Bennett.

“I remember freshman year I looked up to him...he’s always fast,” Anderson said. “It kind of sucks we haven’t been healthier, but this is the second 4x800 I’ve run with Zach and Charlie, so I’m cherishing it.”

Johnson also admires Bennett's talent and work ethic.

“He’s insane,” Johnson said. “He’s really good.”

More: Why Ames sophomore track athlete Ayak Akol is driven to succeed in the girls high jump

Bennett anchored Ames in the distance medley and ran the 1,600 as well at Norwalk.

In the distance medley, Bennett joined up with Gavin Clouser, Jeffrey Roberts and Isaiah Knight to run a 3:40.76 and place fourth. He took ninth in the 1,600 with a time of 4:54.44.

None of Bennett's events automatically qualified for state. But after the official state qualifier list comes out Friday, Bennett is hopeful he will get to run at least one more race as a Little Cyclone.

“It’s just a blessing to be out here running,” Bennett said. “At the end of the day, there’s nothing more special than running with my guys.”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames senior Charlie Bennett makes the most of challenging track career