Thursday (May 11th) is the date of State Qualifying Track Meets across the state, as athletes attempt to punch their ticket to the blue oval at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. A large number of KQ-Radio athletes have those opportunities, and we will break down those opportunities district-by-district.
Class 3A, District 7 (Webster City)
The story of the boys side very well could be the exploits of one Jaxon Cherry, as it stands Cherry is 2nd in the shot put (53′ 1″), #1 in the discus (164′ 4.5″) and #1 in the 100m dash (10.98). Cherry has also anchored the 4×100 relay, but suffered a lower leg injury while competing in the 4×100 at the Drake Relays. If Cherry is healthy and ready to go, there is a good chance the Lynx 4×100 can make it down to the Blue Oval as an at-large qualifier (currently 15th in 3A at 43.71). Still chances for Jayden Weinzetl to sneak in the 100m dash (11.11) as well as the 4×200 relay (1:32.30/19th in 3A) that included CJ and Keegan Hisler, Jayden Weinzetl and Luke Estlund.
On the girls side, unfortunately, there are not any Lynx athletes that crack the top 5 of the 19 events ran at the state qualifying meet.
Probables
Boys Shot Put – Jaxon Cherry (53′ 1″)
Boys Discus – Jaxon Cherry (164′ 4.5″)
Boys 100m – Jaxon Cherry (10.98)
Possibles
Boys 4×100 – (43.71)
Boys 4×200 – (1:32.30)
100m – Jayden Weinzetl (11.11)
Class 2A, District 2 (Roland-Story)
After dominating the district scene with qualifiers a year ago, the competition stiffens up as the Norsemen head northeast for their district this year. As of right now, however, Kale Lande and Hesston Johnson are sitting 1-2 in the 400m dash with times of 50.38 and 51.40. The Norsemen 4×800 is currently leading the district with a mark of 8:24.46, but their crown jewel in 2023 has been the 4×400 relay, where they lead Class 2A by over 2 seconds with a time of 3:25.55. The boys distance medley is also tops in D2 in a time of 3:42.28, but could take a back seat to the previous events.
On the girls side, Sprints make up much of what the Norsemen will likely send down to the blue oval. Kamryn Lande holds the top time in the district in the 200m (26.34), but her 12.75 in the 100m is just .01 seconds off an automatic qualifier spot, but is still good to be tied for 11th in 2A. The Norsemen 4×100 holds the fastest time in the district at 51.26, as does the 4×200 (1:47.44) and the Sprint Medley (1:53.82). Odds are, however, one of these three get left behind due to event restrictions. Adalyn Sporleder also sits #2 in the district in the long jump at 16′ 5.5″.
Probables
Boys 400m – Kale Lande (50.38)
Boys 400m – Hesston Johnson (51.40)
Boys 4×400 – (3:25.55) #1 in 2A
Boys 4×800 – (8:24.46)
Girls 4×100 – (51.26)
Girls 4×200 – (1:47.44)
Girls 100m – Kamryn Lande (12.75)
Girls 200m – Kamryn Lande (26.34)
Girls Long Jump – Adalyn Sporleder – (16′ 5.5″)
Possibles
Boys Distance Medley – (3:42.28)
Girls Sprint Medley – (1:53.82)
Class 2A, District 5 (CGD/Eagle Grove)
CGD and Eagle Grove get the north central Iowa district in Class 2A, and between the two schools, could put a solid amount of athletes in. CGD’s Mason Allen feels like the safest bet to make it down to Des Moines, after throwing his lifetime best in the discus last Thursday in Webster City at 158′ 9″, good for 2nd in the district. The other story on the boys side will be the performance of Eagle Grove’s Cayden Schultz. Schultz currently sits 2nd in the 100m (11.12), tied for 2nd in the high jump (6′ 2″) and is the top man in the 200m (22.70) coming in.
The girls meet will be a story of hurdles and jumps. CGD’s Mikayla Beisel appears to be the individual with a chance to shine, as she currently sits 2nd in the district in the 100 hurdles (16.39), and in the high jump (5′ 4″). Beisel could have a outside chance at qualifying in the 400 hurdles (1:09.65), as her time sits 20th in 2A. Eagle Grove’s Ayden Feske has a chance to return to the Blue Oval in the 100m (12.78), while Addyson Jeske has a good chance at making a return in the long jump (16′ 2.5″). CGD’s shuttle hurdle team appears to be the only relay with a high probability of qualifying, as they lead the district by 3 seconds (1:10.12).
Probables
Boys Discus – Mason Allen (159′ 8″)
Boys 100m – Cayden Schultz (11.12)
Boys 200m – Cayden Schultz (22.70)
Girls 100mH – Mikayla Beisel (16.39)
Girls High Jump – Mikayla Beisel (5′ 4″)
Girls Shuttle Hurdle – CGD (1:10.12)
Girls Long Jump – Addyson Jeske (16′ 2.5″)
Possibles
Boys High Jump – Cayden Schultz (6′ 2″)
Girls 400mH – Mikayla Beisel (1:09.65)
Girls 100m – Ayden Feske (12.78)
Class 1A, District 6 (South Hamilton)
South Hamilton drops down to 1A and will contend with a slightly different format, as the winners automatically qualify, followed by the 14 next best times. Individually, junior Ty Koehnk has a realistic shot at making the 200m (23.22) as he sits tied for 27th in 1A, and is very likely to get a shot in the 400m (51.02) as his time sits 7th in 1A and #2 in the district. Carter Balvanz is also someone who could sneak in, as he sits 31st in the discus, and with a PR, could find himself in Des Moines. The Hawks 4×200 (1:34.82) has an outside shot at making a run to state, sitting 27th in 1A, as does the Sprint Medley (1:36.57) as they sit 5th. However, the Hawks crown jewel will be their 4×400 relay, which sits #1 in Class 1A by over 4 seconds at 3:25.15.
On the girls side, Kate Barkema has a legitimate shot at a qualifying time in the 100m (13.01) despite her being 4th in the district. Grace Neuberger can solidify herself as well, if she’s able to surpass her season-best of 5′ 0″ in the high jump, Isabel Swenson is someone else to watch as well, as she’s cleared 4′ 10″. The Hawks strong suit will be their relays, as their 4×100 sits 10th in 1A at 51.90 and their 4×200 at 9th in 1:50.29. The girls sprint medley currently sits in the top 5 of 1A as well, in a time of 1:54.03.
Probables
Boys 400m – Ty Koehnk (51.02)
Boys 4×400 – (3:25.15) #1 in 1A
Boys Sprint Medley – (1:36.57)
Girls 4×100 – (51.90)
Girls 4×200 – (1:50.29)
Sprint Medley – (1:54.03)
Possibles
Boys 200m – Ty Koehnk (23.22)
Boys 4×200 – (1:34.82)
Girls High Jump – Grace Neuberger (5′ 0″)
Girls High Jump – Isabel Swenson (4′ 10″)
Girls 100m – Kate Barkema (13.01)