Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – The West High shuttle hurdle relay team had already run the fastest time in state history prior to the state meet.

It wasn’t a time that the Trojan foursome was focused on entering the shuttle hurdle relay finals on Saturday.

“After prelims the only thing that we talked about was it doesn’t matter what time we run as long as we get to the finish line first because we want a state championship,” West High senior Waleed Ibrahim explained.

In order to reach that goal the Trojans needed to run faster than any team had ever run.

The West High foursome of Ely Smock, Ibrahim, Cade Towler and Ryder Gorsh set an all-time state best while winning the Class 4A shuttle hurdle relay title in a time of 55.39 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines

Waukee Northwest was runner-up in 55.52 and Cedar Rapids Kennedy was third in a time of 55.98.

“Today it just happened to take a state record to also get first,” Smock said. “All the credit to the other guys on the podium they also ran fast and it pushed us to run fast.”

The title was the third shuttle hurdle relay title in West High history and second in the last four seasons for the Trojans.

“It’s the best race in track and field if you ask me,” Smock said. “It’s just as fast as the 4×1 but it has so many variables, there are 10 hurdles times four guys plus exchanges and it makes for an exciting race.”

Saturday’s final was certainly exciting.

West High entered the state meet with the best time in state history at 55.82 and a Drake Relays title already under it’s belt.

The Trojans wanted to add a state title.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy ran the fastest time at Thursday’s prelims at 56.35 and Waukee Northwest was second at 56.45.

It was Wet High that came up big on Saturday morning taking .43 seconds off its previous all-time best time on its way to winning the 4A title.

“Speechless,” Towler said. “There are no words for it. The second Ryder crossed the finish line I was screaming but I have nothing to say. I’m speechless.”

For the Trojans the success came through hard work and dedication but also through chemistry.

“Teamwork,” Ibrahim said of the reason for succes. “We are not just teammates we are friends. We are pretty close friends. We room together, we hang out together, we talk to each other. We have that chemistry and in a sport that’s all the matters when it comes to team.”

West High senior Ely Smock added a seventh-place finish in the 4A 110 hurdles in a time of 14.46 to cap a strong hurdling week for the Trojans.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating