Although the Ankeny girls’ track team is hoping to peak at the end of the season, Zoe Shadravan and the Hawkettes aren’t looking too far ahead.
“I think we have the capability to win (state), but we can’t get ahead of ourselves and expect that we’re going to win,” said Shadravan. “I think we have to work toward it and keep on the track that we’re going on.”
On Saturday, Shadravan helped Ankeny to a runner-up finish in the Brooks Relays at Valley. The Hawkettes scored 101 points to finish four points behind Dowling Catholic in the 12-team field.
“We are very excited about how we performed today,” said Ankeny coach T.J. Jumper. “This was our second meet in three days competing against some of the top competition in the state. We decided to give some of the girls a lighter load because of the load they had on Thursday and also other activities they participate in.”
Ankeny’s lone victory on the track came in the distance medley relay. The foursome of Morgan Conklin, Shadravan, Sophie Loeffler and Drew Beason was clocked in 4:14.90–the fastest time in the state this season and the fifth-fastest in school history.
Beason gave up the lead to Waukee Northwest on the 800-meter anchor leg before rallying for the victory.
“I have all the confidence in Drew,” Shadravan said. “She’s one of the best runners in our program. She hit her PR in the 3,000 today, and she just hit another PR in her 800. I’m proud of her.”
Beason earlier placed third in the 3,000 in 10:09.46. Alli Macke took third in the 400 in 58.82 seconds, posting the fifth-fastest time in school history.
Morgan Johnson was fourth in the 400 in 1:01.79. She later teamed up with Loeffler, Shadravan and Macke to place third in the 4×400 relay in 4:04.40, which met the Blue Oval Standard for the Drake Relays.
The Hawkettes also placed third in the 4×800 relay. The quartet of Olivia Graber, Sophia Graber, Lauren Jackson and Paige Beason posted a time of 10:07.13.
Lillian Smith added a fourth-place finish in the 400 hurdles. She was clocked in 1:07.58.
Ankeny’s other victory came in the discus. Hannah Baier won the event with a toss of 123 feet 11 inches.
Kendra Winfrey took third in the shot put. She had a throw of 37-11.5.
The Hawkettes also performed well in the high jump, where Reagan Hanfelt placed second with a leap of 5-5 and teammate Jayla Williams was fourth at 5-1.
“Our focus was on just competing and pushing through having tired legs,” Jumper said. “It was about being mentally tough, trusting our training, and being confident individually and as a team. Today’s results not only met, but exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations.”
The Hawkettes will compete in the Hi Covey Relays on Tuesday at Ames.
