C-M’s Hostetter finalizes impressive career with four-second PR in 1,500

DES MOINES — Freshman Abbey McConeghey and senior Dakota Hostetter came into the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships with the 11th and 13th best times in the Class 1A 1,500-meter run, respectively.

Both runners had career-best performances in the event at state, but the rest of the field also got better Saturday at Drake Stadium.

Hostetter ran up front most of the way before fading in the final 200 meters but still ran a personal-best time of 5 minutes, 5.79 seconds. She finished 14th overall. McConeghey’s personal-best time was clocked at 5:11 and she finished 20th.

“I was trying. They were going too fast,” Hostetter said. “I am happy that I got a PR in my last race. I would like to have finished a little higher, but it’s OK. I ran out of gas on the final stretch. I couldn’t hold them off.”

Hostetter was surprised so many runners finished under five minutes.

The winning time was 4:54.36 by East Mills sophomore Janette Schraft, who won her second consecutive 1,500 title. Seven other runners came in with a time better than five minutes. All eight competitors went home with medals.

“I am very proud of both of my two girls as they each had a career personal-best time,” Colfax-Mingo girls coach Zach Tomas said. “We had season bests in every race and improved our time and/or seeing as well.”

Hostetter and McConeghey also ran on the Tigerhawk distance medley relay team on Friday. The team of sophomores Jordan Atwood and Colbee Cunningham, Hostetter and McConeghey finished 15th with a season-best time of 4:32.14.

The Tigerhawk girls were in the distance medley for the fourth straight season. Hostetter was on all four teams, but the other trio was making their first trips to the blue oval.

Hostetter turned in a 60.43-second time on the 400 leg and McConeghey turned in a 2:34 anchor leg.

Cunningham ran on the Tigerhawks’ 4x800 state team Thursday and then hit the track for a second time in the medley Friday. She took the baton from Atwood, who competed on the Jim Duncan Track for the first time in her career.

“It feels good. I was glad I was able to help keep this event going at state,” Atwood said. “I am just thankful my 200 time was fast enough to help. It was intense. The competition is fast.”

Junior Reegan Van Dyke competed in the high jump on Friday. His season ended in disappointing fashion. Van Dyke missed all three of his attempts at the opening height of 5 feet, 10 inches.

“I know Reegan was disappointed but three misses today doesn’t change how proud we all are of him,” Colfax-Mingo boys coach Matt Barkalow said. “He had a tremendous season and was our team’s leading point scorer. I am confident Reegan’s 2017 state experience will help him challenge for a high jump medal on the ‘blue oval’ as a senior.”

Hostetter exits the Tigerhawk program as a four-time state qualifier in the distance medley, three-time state qualifier in the 1,500 and a two-time state qualifier in the 4x800 relay.

“I will really miss my coaches and teammates, but I am just really relieved that it’s over,” Hostetter said. “It’s been a good run.”