The South Hamilton Hawks track and field teams made the trip south into Boone County on Thursday afternoon, to compete in their Class 1A, District 6 State Qualifying Meet at Madrid High School, joining the Hawks in Madrid were the host Tigers, as well as Ankeny Christian, Baxter, Collins-Maxwell, Colo-NESCO, Earlham, Grand View Christian, Martensdale-St. Marys, Mormon Trail, Paton-Churdan, Southeast Warren, Wayne and Woodward Academy.
The day started well for the Hawks, as Isabel Swenson clinched an automatic bid to state, winning the girls high jump, clearing 4′ 10″ on her first jump at that height. Carter Balvanz also placed 2nd in the discus with a throw of 139′ 2″, while 2nd doesn’t guarantee a spot in state in 1A, his throw is good for 19th in Class 1A, putting him on the cusp. Landon Grove would also place 2nd in the boys long jump with a mark of 20′ 7.5″, which ties him for 16th in Class 1A, putting him on the cusp of state as well.
In the girls relays, the Hawks opened by winning the sprint medley in a time of 1:54.25 with the team of Barkema-Flaugh-Thompson-Erickson. This was followed up by a dominating win in the 4×200 relay, as South Hamilton won in a time of 1:49.40, a new season-best with the team of Barkema-Erickson-Flaugh-Thompson. The night would then be capped with a win in the 4×100, in a season-best time of 51.70 with the team of Thompson-Flaugh-Erickson-Barkema.
In the boys results, South Hamilton opened by winning the sprint medley in a time of 1:36.77 with the team of Severseike-Drake-Hodnefield-Koehnk. This would be followed by a 2nd place finish in the distance medley, in a time of 3:41.79 with the team of Hodnefield-Ricke-Fuller-Severseike, as that time puts the Hawks relay in 5th in Class 1A. Shortly thereafter the Hawks would win the boys 4×200 relay in a time of 1:34.01 with the team of Hodnefield-Ricke-Severseike-Koehnk, before wrapping up the day with a win in the 4×400 relay in a time of 3:32.01 in the pouring rain, with the quartet of Koehnk-Ricke-Severseike-Hodnefield.
South Hamilton’s boys placed 4th with 81 points, Madrid was the meet champion with 153 points. South Hamilton’s girls were the 1A, District 6 Qualifying Meet Champions, scoring 97 points. Full results can be found below.