Baier, Winfrey, Hanfelt shine in field events, lead Ankeny to runner-up finish

Ankeny’s Reagan Hanfelt competes in the high jump during the Hi Covey Relays on Tuesday at Ames. She won the event with a jump of 5 feet 3.25 inches, which ranks third in Class 4A. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Adamson)

A year ago, the Ankeny girls’ track team won a state title in the long jump thanks to Shelby Romig, who is now competing for St. Cloud State.

This spring, the Hawkettes could contend for even more championships in the field events.

Hannah Baier won the discus in the Hi Covey Relays on Tuesday at Ames with a season-best throw of 123 feet. She edged Faith DeRonde of Oskaloosa by 4 inches.

Ankeny’s Kendra Winfrey took the shot put with a toss of 40-9.5. Both Winfrey and Baier were top-eight finishers at last year’s state meet.

“Hannah regained her top spot in Class 4A,” said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. “We currently have the top shot/discus throwers in 4A.”

Ankeny’s Reagan Hanfelt could also be a contender in the high jump. She won that event on Tuesday by clearing the bar at 5-3.25.

“She took a huge leap forward,” Cotter said. “That (jump) is third in 4A.”

Ankeny’s Alli Macke anchors the Hawkettes to a victory in the 4×800 relay. She teamed up with Drew Beason, Sophie Loeffler and Lauren Jackson to post a time of 9:43.18. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Adamson)

The Hawkettes placed second in the seven-team field with 159 points. Ames won the meet with 175.

“The weather really cooperated, and our girls showed up ready to compete,” Cotter said. “I’m happy with where we are sitting but to get where we need to be a lot more work needs to happen.”

Drew Beason was the runner-up in the 1,500. She posted a time of 4:56.16.

“She continues to impress,” Cotter said. “She dropped 9 seconds to break 5 minutes and put herself (in position) to compete in that event as well at the Drake Relays.”

Beason also combined with Sophie Loeffler, Lauren Jackson and Alli Macke to win the 4×800 relay. Ankeny was clocked in 9:43.18.

“We ran the third-fastest time in Class 4A so far this season,” Cotter said. “We are confident we can shave a lot more time off of that with more training as we have all freshmen running the event.”

Ankeny’s Larissa Miller runs the leadoff leg in the distance medley relay. She teamed up with Lexi Stephens, Jenna Pitz and Savannah Gage to win the event in 4:35.52. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Adamson)

The Hawkettes also won the distance medley relay in 4:35.52. That team consisted of Larissa Miller, Lexi Stephens, Jenna Pitz and Savannah Gage.

Paige Beason added a second-place finish in the 3,000. She posted a time of 11:33.04.

Ankeny also placed second in the 4×400 relay. The foursome of Eva Fulk, Lillian Smith, Zoe Shadravan and Macke was clocked in 4:09.61.

The Hawkettes will compete in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium.