March 28, 2024

Cardinal girls open 2017 state track meet competition

Image 1 of 2

DES MOINES — Junior Audrey Lucas had competed at the state track meet before, but not in a throwing event. She had been a member of the shuttle hurdle relay team.

It was different on Thursday at the 2017 Iowa High School Track and Field Championships for Lucas, She was not on Drake University Stadium’s Blue Oval, but in the Class 4A girls’ discus ring.

Lucas’ first throw in state competition landed out of bounds. Her next throw went for a bit of ride — 104 feet, 5 inches. It was her best throw of the competition, but did not advance into the finals. She finished 19 in the field of 24 competitors.

Newton’s girls qualified for state in three events with only one on the track.

The Cardinal girls competed in Thursday morning’s Class 4A shuttle hurdle race. Team of sophomore Abbie Barr, junior Liz McVey, freshman Liv Whitten and junior Morgann Eide turned in a time of 1 minute, 9.19 seconds.

Newton’s time did not move the Cardinals into Saturday’s final. The Cardinal foursome finished 15th overall. McVey, Barr and Eide were the state meet veterans on the relay.

“It’s wasn’t our qualifying time, but we were happy with the way we ran,” McVey said. “It’s always fun to run here.”

Eide ran the anchor leg of the relay. She said it was tough to catch up as Ankeny had a pretty good run. Ankeny was second at 1:05.71 behind heat winner Waukee at 1:01.83.

“I just tried to keep my head up and get her as best as I could,” Eide said of going after the Ankeny anchor runner.

Barr also ran on the shuttle hurdle relay team with Eide, which qualified a year ago in Class 3A.

“This track brings a new energy. It’s a fast track and fun to run on,” Barr said. “It’s great to have the opportunity to be at the state.”

Whitten experienced the state track meet for the first time.

“I was very excited and nervous, but had a great time today,” Whitten said.

Junior Hannah Boecker was the alternate runner for the relay. She said it was fun to come watch the team compete and support her teammates. She said the Cardinal girls are like a family.

“We’re proud of the girls and their performances today. It was a great experience for them,” Newton coach Rachel Tomas said. “We are happy as coaches to return all our state qualifiers for next season.”

Tomas and Rachelle Tipton coached the Cardinal girls’ team this season. On Friday, junior Haley Revell, who qualified a year ago in Class 3A, is back in the shot put ring — this year in Class 4A competition.

Also on Friday, the Newton boys’ hit the track at Drake Stadium. The foursome of junior Matthew Karsten, seniors Connor Gholson and Brennen Dodd and junior Jack Callaghan compete in the distance medley relay final. Gholson and Karsten are joined by freshman Jeremiah Johnson and junior Jaron Roush for the 4x100 relay preliminaries.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com