Highland senior Keiffer Sexton leads the pack during the 1600 meter run at the Demon Relays April 7 in Washington. Photo by KCII Sports Nate Gonner.

Before he takes his running talents to college this fall, Highland senior Keiffer Sexton has one major high school athletic goal he wants to accomplish. The Western Illinois University Leatherneck track and cross country commit was the only Class 1A runner to compete in this week’s 21-person 3200 meter run field at the 107th annual Drake Relays. He finished in 15th place, setting a personal record with a time of 9:47.17.

Sexton told KCII Sports at Thursday’s Ekstrand Relays in Wayland that he has his eyes set on winning a state championship in the two-mile run this month in Des Moines. Entering the week, Sexton’s owns the fastest Class 1A time in the 3200 meter run by a full 13 seconds. Last year, he finished third in the event, clocking a time of 10:03.63. Last year’s Class 1A 3200 meter run state champion, Gable Sieperda of Central Lyon, Rock Rapids, currently has the 16th fastest two-mile time in the state at 10:29.

Sexton also finished fourth in the state in last year’s Class 1A 1600 meter run, concluding his mile performance in 4:35.6. He currently owns the fifth best one-mile time in Class 1A, completing four laps around the track in 4:42.91 at the Falcon Co-Ed Relays March 28.

The Iowa High School State Track Meet is May 19-21 in Des Moines.