Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Two days down one day to go at the state track and field meet.

Field events are complete and the action turns entirely to the famed blue oval inside Drake Stadium in Des Moines on Saturday for the final day of the three-day state meet.

Saturday features nine event finals on the track and concludes with team titles being handed out for all four classes.

Before the gun sounds for the first race on Saturday morning we take a look at a few things to watch on the final day of the state track meet.

West High Boys Trophy Drive

A big day from Aidan Jacobsen on Friday highlighted a day two in which West High gained points in all five events and pushed itself in the trophy conversation in Class 4A.

It will take another big day for the Trojans to secure a trophy.

West Des Moines Dowling and Ankeny lead the Class 4A team race with 52 points while Cedar Falls is third with 37 and West High is a point back with 36.

The Trojans have entries in five events on Saturday highlighted by senior sprint Izaiah Loveless who is a finalist in both the 100 and 200.

Junior Moustafa Tiea is seeded sixth of the state qualifying meets in both the 800 and 1,600 for the Trojans which also have a sprint medley relay team in action on Saturday.

Solon Stays in Trophy Hunt

Solon enters the final day of the state meet in its own race for hardware in Class 3A.

The Spartans have been solid through two days and currently sit in third place with 27 points in a crowded 3A boys team race.

Pella leads the way with 35 points followed by Western Dubuque with 28 while Center Point-Urbana is fourth with 26 and Clear Creek Amana is fifth with 22.

The Spartans have some firepower remaining highlighted by senior individual qualifiers Brick Kabela in the 1,600 and Michael Yeomans in the 800.

The Spartans also have a sprint medley team and Solon is seeded third in the 4×400 which could determine who leaves with a trophy.

Aly Stahle in 100 Hurdles

Solon has had four state champions in individual running events but has never had a title in the high hurdles.

Junior Aly Stahle will attempt to change that on Saturday.

Stahle posted the top time in the Class 3A 100 hurdles on Friday at 15.47 and enters the finals one of the favorites in a balanced hurdle field.

Clarke senior Victoria Henry has the fastest time in 3A this season at 15.46 and Jayci Reed of Atlantic ran the second fastest prelim time at 15.58.

West High Girls Shuttle Hurdle Seeks A Strong Finish

All season it has been the hurdle crew that has led the West High girls.

The foursome of Erinn Varga, Jaylin Herring, Eriniah Carter and Sophia Olivio enter the finals with the seventh fastest prelim time at 1:05.4.

It will be the final race for Varga and Carter who have been key parts of the program.

Carter helped the Trojans to a fourth-place state finish in the shuttle hurdle last season and Varga picked up a medal on Friday with a seventh-place finish in the 400 hurdles.

Waukee Northwest has the top qualifying time at 1:02.54 while West Des Moines Dowling is second at 1:02.61.

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