A long bus ride to Council Bluffs turned into a successful business trip for the Ankeny track teams.
Both the Hawks and Hawkettes scored 193 points and placed second among eight teams in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Wickersham Stadium. More importantly, both Ankeny squads qualified for next week’s state meet in a combined 33 events.
“We had a great meet,” said Ankeny boys’ coach Jordan Mullen, whose team finished two points behind defending state champion Dowling Catholic. “We went over and took care of business. Everything we planned on getting in (to state) did, and then we had a couple of surprises as well!”
Dowling also won the girls’ title. The Maroons racked up 205 points to hold off Ankeny.
“We were able to brave the elements and have a great meet,” said Ankeny girls’ coach T.J. Jumper. “The team competed with grit and courage. They showed a championship mindset and executed our plan in each of the events. We set numerous PRs.”
The Ankeny boys’ team won 10 events, including five relays. Jack Belding took the 200 in 22.18 seconds and the 400 in 49.51.
Tyler Sickerson captured the 100 in 11.15. He placed second in the 200 in 22.25.
“Overall, we performed well as a team,” said Sickerson. “A few things happened that I couldn’t control in my races, but state will be better. I’m very excited to see how we will do.”
Jamison Patton needed only two jumps to win the high jump. He cleared the bar at 6 feet 5 inches.
Carter Accola won the 110 hurdles in 15.22. Teammate Gavin Wise was the runner-up in 15.38.
Wise also anchored the winning shuttle hurdle relay. He teamed up with Sam Madsen, Landon Pote and Hayden Carlson to post a time of 1:01.59.
The Ankeny foursome of Aidan Adamson, Jazan Williams, Devon Akers and Sickerson won the 4×200 relay in a time of 1:28.91. The same quartet placed second in the 4×100 relay in 43.71.
The Hawks won the sprint medley relay in a time of 1:32.39. That team consisted of Adamson, Williams, Akers and Belding.
Belding also ran on the winning 4×400 relay. He combined with Bram van de Mortel, Tyson Miller and Jake Bosch to post a time of 3:23.35.
Ankeny’s other victory came in the distance medley relay. The team of Caden Henkes, Evan Irlmeier, Bosch and Ethan Zuber was clocked in 3:34.98.
Zuber also placed third in both the 3,200 (9:27.80) and the 1,600 (4:23.78). Maxwell Doyle took third in the 400 hurdles (56.67), while van de Mortel added a runner-up finish in the 400 (50.80).
Bosch anchored the Hawks to a second-place finish in the 4×800 relay (8:11.50).
“It was another total team effort,” Mullen said. “Most importantly, we competed and got through what we needed to in order to be successful next weekend on the blue oval! We’re headed into state with a full schedule and now it’s time to have fun and focus on Ankeny and see if we can make a little more noise one more time to cap off an outstanding season!”
The Ankeny girls’ squad, meanwhile, won seven events. The Hawkettes dominated the distance events.
Drew Beason won the 3,000 in a time of 10:25.43 and the 1,500 in 4:49.52. Her sister, Paige, took second in both of those races.
Alli Macke captured the 800 in 2:26.19. She edged teammate Reagan Prendergast, who was the runner-up in 2:26.73.
“I was super happy for Reagan, getting to go run at state as an individual is super cool,” said Macke. “I can’t wait to get to race with her!”
Lillian Smith raced to a victory in the 400 hurdles. She was clocked in 1:05.78.
Smith also teamed up with Zoe Shadravan, Sophie Loeffler and Drew Beason to win the distance medley relay. Ankeny posted a time of 4:16.53.
The Hawkettes won the 4×800 relay in 9:41.48. That team was comprised of Loeffler, Prendergast, Olivia Graber and Macke.
Macke also anchored the winning 4×400 relay. She combined with Loeffler, Morgan Johnson and Shadravan to post a time of 4:02.95.
“I was happy with my races and with the team overall!” Macke said. “We knew what we needed to do, and everyone performed great.”
Johnson also placed second in the 400 in 59.81. Jayla Williams was second in the 100 hurdles in 15.62 and ran on the runner-up shuttle hurdle relay.
Williams also took second in the high jump at 5-2. Teammate Reagan Hanfelt jumped 5-2 as well and placed third.
Kendra Winfrey was the runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 37-0.25. Hannah Baier placed third in the discus with a toss of 118-3.
The Hawkettes also placed second in the sprint medley relay.
“We are super excited to qualify in 17 events and having 20 athletes compete next week,” Jumper said. “This exceeded our expectations. It was an impressive showing by a team and individuals who have worked extremely hard in training and bought into our expectations and culture. We hope to build on the momentum we created at this meet going into the state meet.”