With the Drake Relays starting on Thursday, the Ankeny Centennial boys’ track team could have elected to rest its qualifiers on Tuesday night.
Head coach Nate Smith decided not to do that.
Instead, Centennial relied on many of its regulars to easily win the Jaguar Invitational for its fourth team title of the season. The Jaguars racked up 156 points in the seven-team meet, finishing 69 points ahead of runner-up Waukee.
Centennial won nine events, including three relays. Cael Woods took the 400 hurdles in 53.18, which lowered his own state-leading mark by .26 seconds.
The Jaguars also got wins on the track from Braeden Jackson in the 100 (11.10), Robert McGhee in the 200 (22.41), Brayden Vander Wilt in the 800 (2:00.88) and Sean Thomas in the 3,200 (9:46.35). Gavin Humphrey added another victory in the shot put, turning in a throw of 51 feet 8 inches.
McGhee and Jackson also ran on the winning 4×100 relay. They teamed up with Joel Neith and Caleb Reed to post a time of 42.31 seconds.
Centennial captured the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:02.54. That team consisted of Gavin Matheny, Nic Ryan, Devin Boyle and Owen George.
The Jaguars also took the distance medley relay in 3:51.22. That unit was comprised of Rex Jensen, Chase Kluver, Noah Cleghorn and Hunter Runchey.
Thomas was also the runner-up in the 1,600. He was clocked in 4:37.22.
Neith took third in the 200 in 23.37. Jeremiah Bassett also finished third in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet 9.5 inches.
Centennial took second in the 4×200 relay in 1:30.78. That team consisted of Jackson Reed, Sam Heither, Kyler Jones and Reed Anderson.
The Jaguars also placed second in the sprint medley relay. The foursome of Dylan Surat, Jensen, Jones and Cleghorn posted a time of 1:38.86.