The Ankeny boys’ track team continues to turn in some blistering times.
The Hawks set a school record in the 4×100 relay during the Gary DouBrava Invitational on Tuesday at Urbandale. The foursome of Caden Henkes, Devon Akers, Logan Fairchild and Tyler Sickerson won the event in 41.76 seconds, which is the fastest time in the state this season.
“As the season goes along, we are really showing what this team is capable of when we stack up a relay,” said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. “That 4×1 was electric, but that’s why we run relays! The smile and excitement on the entire team’s faces after they ran that was absolutely amazing and priceless! One of the main reasons I coach was just getting to see the team’s reactions!
“We are going to keep having a lot of fun. That’s when our kids are running best and that’s the atmosphere we want to keep around,” he added.
Ankeny placed sixth overall in the eight-team field. The Hawks scored 62 points.
Johnston won the meet with 136 points. Indianola was the runner-up with 104, edging Waukee by a point.
Ankeny also won the 4×800 relay. The quartet of Abel Squires, Ike Smith, Owen Evans and Ethan Zuber was clocked in 8:00.06, which met the Drake Relays Blue Oval standard.
Akers added a second-place finish in the 100. He turned in a time of 11.39 seconds.
Gavin Wise took third in the 110 hurdles in 16.00. Alexander Zuber finished third in the 400 in 53.23.
Wise also teamed up with Hayden Carlson, Sam Madsen and Jackson Romig for a second-place finish in the shuttle hurdle relay. The Hawks posted a time of 1:02.75.
“The kids are really starting to come together and starting to look very good,” Mullen said. “Our depth is starting to get scary! We have kids ranging from freshmen to seniors that are competing and are running really fast times individually and in relays. I couldn’t be more happy where our team is sitting right now! All our pieces are starting to fall into place, and it’s really fun to see what these kids are doing right now!”
Ankeny will compete in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium.
“We have a lot of track left yet so as always we will stay very hungry and humble and make sure the kids are healthy,” Mullen said.