Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Three years ago Phoebe Burt figured she would spend most of her prep track and field career as a junior varsity contributor.

At the time Burt was comfortable with that.

“It wasn’t my thing,” Burt said of track and field. “I was a decent JV track athlete and I thought that was where I was going to be.”

Once she stopped being comfortable it didn’t take long for Burt to become one of the state’s best throwers.

Burt capped an impressive career on Thursday with a runner-up finish at the Class 4A state track and field meet at Drake Stadium Des Moines.

“It’s a good end to my senior year,” Burt said. “If you would have asked me three years ago where I would be today it would not be here.”
Burt spent her freshman season on the junior varsity squad.

She competed in some varsity meets as a sophomore but not at the state qualifying meet.

After spring sports were cancelled last season Burt emerged as one of the state’s best this spring.

What helped Burt go from JV to state runner-up?
She stopped being comfortable with where she was.

“I started trusting my coaching, trusting (West High throws coach) Danica Haight, trusting everything and just digging into my training,” Burt said. “Getting reps in the ring, hitting it hard in the weight room and being a multi-sport athlete all helped big time. Just seeing where I have come from then to now it’s crazy.”

Burt entered with the top throw in Class 4A this season after posting a career-best 135-11 at the state qualifying meet.

Throwing in a steady rain on Thursday Burt finished second to Myah Brinker of Cedar Falls with a toss of 125-4.

Brinker won with a mark of 128-8.

“I was afraid after the first down pour but I had some training in a wet ring about two days ago,” Burt said. “It kind of felt like throwing in a splash pad a little bit today which was kind of fun.”
Burt, who will continue her track and field and wrestling careers at William Penn next year, had her runner-up throw on her first attempt on Thursday.

“I got a 125-4 and I was honestly really happy to get that mark,” Burt said. “I was hoping to be able to really dig in and go a little further but I just didn’t and I’m very proud of how I did and I’ve come a long way and getting runner-up is huge.”

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