The Blue Oval will have a tint of orange and black next week in Des Moines, as several Washington track members punched their ticket to state after cracking the top two in last night’s class 3A district meet in Mount Pleasant.
The Washington boys had seven events receive the automatic qualifier led by three-time champ Lance Sobaski. The junior wiped the floor in the long distance events winning the 800m (2:02), 1600m (4:36), and the 3200m (10:06). Elijah Morris advanced in a pair of events winning the 400m (50.53) and placing second in the 200m (22.99). Morris was pleased with his performances. “I felt good in the 400m. Times are slowing down everywhere, but I made it through and it was a fun race. This was only the second 200m I have done so that was interesting. Whatever happens next week at state I am happy with it.” Ethan Patterson will advance in the high jump winning with a leap of 6’0’’ and the sprint medley relay team broke a school record to finish second (1:35). This squad consists of Patterson, Wyatt Stout, Jacob Miller, and Morris. A trio of third place events have a chance of moving on as well including Brayden Hartman in the shot put (48’11’’), Reece Mayer in the discus (143’8’’), and the 4x400m relay of Roy Carter, Patterson, Sobaski, and Morris (3:32). The Demons placed second out of eight teams with 132 points while Clear Creek-Amana won with 158.
The Demon girls had one automatic qualifier in Abby Kleese. The freshman ran a personal best time of 2:28 in the 800m to place second. Rightfully so, she was ecstatic after the race. “As soon as I crossed the finish line I was hysterical. I was crying and it was amazing. I am excited to run against great competition next week.” Other top finishes included Amelia Dahl fifth in 3000m (12:54), Liaden Fillinger sixth in the 400m hurdles (1:17), and Olivia Marek sixth in the long jump (15’5.5’’). The team placed seventh with 47 points.
A complete list of state qualifiers will be released today. The State Track and Field meet is a three-day event that starts Thursday in Des Moines.