PCM girls track enjoys three personal records and a season best at state meet

DES MOINES — Unpredictable weather, sickness and fierce competition didn’t bother the 10 members of the PCM girls track and field team who made it to the state meet.

It was held on May 22-24 at Drake Stadium. Abi Teeter was among them, and she competed in the 1,500-meter run, finishing at 5 minutes, 2.33 seconds, a personal record for her.

Teeter competed in the 1,500 and finished 16th out of 24 runners. She’s now third in PCM history in this event.

“One thing I’ve focused on this past, like two weeks, is being patient,” Teeter said. “I feel like sometimes I get out way too fast, and then I don’t know what to do after that. So I’ve been working on being patient, and I think I executed it well. Also, being able to get a personal record at state was great.”

All of the PCM girls were sporting purple glitter on their hair and face, as well as purple ribbons for Teeter, who was born with cystic fibrosis.

In their minds, the idea completely matched: May is National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Plus, Teeter is always encouraging everybody during races, and it was a great reminder of the power of having a great teammate.

“As a team, we decided if we make it to state we’re doing purple hair strands, and just to know they’ve backed me, and knowing that I’m running for a purpose that’s greater than just running, going against all the odds and just being able to portray that with my favorite color, purple, too. It’s been an honor,” Teeter said.

Other runners enjoyed success as well. In the 800, Lila Milani finished 20th with a time of 2:24.

Tipton’s Noelle Steines won the 800 in 2:11.49, was the 1,500 winner in 4:35.19 and took the 3,000 in 9:53.95.

Milani also was part of the distance medley team with Peyton Lathrum, Ryan DeVore, and Jorja Teeter. They finished 19th with a time of 4:22.91. It was a season-best time for them, and they now rank fourth in PCM history. Tipton won the race in 4:07.8.

Jorja Teeter competed in the 400 hurdles, finishing in 1:10.33. It took a 1:06.43 to earn the eighth and final state medal and Van Meter’s Madison Boese won the title in 1:04.73.

Before her race started, the PCM crowd, seated nearby, was buzzing with cheers of encouragement.

“Just looking up in the stands, like when they announce your name, when they’re out there getting ready to go and all of them cheer. It means a lot,” Jorja Teeter said. “It means a lot that I know I have my family and friends around me.”

The PCM shuttle hurdle relay team of Lillian Humpal, Ryan DeVore, Jorja Teeter, and Tori Lindsay finished 18th with a season-best time of 1:11.41. The final state medal team was clocked in 1:08.8.

Ali Hilsabeck ran a 11:41.26 in the 3000. It was her personal record, and good for 22nd. She’s now third all time at PCM in this event.

The 4x800 relay team of Abi Teeter, Paiten Rumbaugh, Bailey Wheeler and Milani finished 16th in 10:08.43. They are now second in PCM history and Van Meter won the race in 9:34.89.

“During the race, my legs were just dead,” Milani said. “I’m tired and I’m sick. So, I mean, I’m just grateful I get to come out here and do this even through everything that’s going on.”

All told, every member of the team who competed at state will not be graduating. Everyone is excited for future growth and opportunities.

“I mean, overall, I’m just very grateful we’re here and I get to do it with this team. State is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Milani said.