Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – The weather this spring has not been exactly conducive to top-notch track and field performance.

The cold, wet and often windy conditions this spring have been particularly tough on distance runners.

Just as City High standout Ford Washburn.

“The weather this season has been so terrible,” Washburn said. “I was starting to lose some confidence.”
When the weather finally cooperated last week Washburn got his confidence back in a big way with one of the best individual meet performances in program history.

Washburn won both the 1,600 and 3,200 at the Forwald Relays last Thursday at Raffensperger Track at City High setting a school record in the 1,600 and clocking the second fastest 3,200 in school history.

“We had it set up where he was going to run those two races and we were hoping to get two first places out of him,” City High coach Mike Moore said. “I had a feeling his times were going to be, maybe not that good, but pretty good, and they were number one all-time at City High school in the mile and number two all-time in the 3,200. Incredible.”

Washburn had picked up where he left off this spring following a stellar cross country season last fall early running a 4:19 in the 1,600 and a 9:28 3,200 at indoor meets.

Faced with less than optimal conditions early this spring outdoor meets began Washburn didn’t see those times drop.

“It was frustrating, after a while I didn’t think I would be able to run the same times because I ran indoors because it’s been 30-mile wind or 30 degrees every meet.”
Until last week.

Washburn started his big Forwald Relays effort by winning the 3,200 in 9:15.9, nearly six seconds in front of West High standout Alex McKane.

The 9:15.9 is the second fastest time in the state this season.

“The weather was just a lifesaver,” Washburn said. “My coaches kept telling me all the time that I am fast, I guess I am but they really do try to emphasize to trust the training through the weather and stressed that I am capable of doing good things.”

Washburn saved his best performance of the night for his final race winning the 1,600 in a school-record time of 4:13.24.

The winning time is the fastest in the state this spring.

“I am just really, really proud of that young man,” Moore said. “He’s a fierce competitor. He really wants it and I’m looking forward to watching him compete these next four weeks because he’s going to do some really special things.”

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