After winning the 1600 in a time of 4:22.07 at the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival last Saturday, STC’s Tommy Tyynismaa embraced his father, assistant Coach Robert Tyynismaa. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

IOWA CITY — The Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival is an annual meet hosted by Iowa City West on a Saturday, and it is open to all schools regardless of class. No team scores are kept at this meet, but some schools use it as a last chance qualifier for the historic Drake Relays held in Des Moines at the end of every April.

On Saturday, four STC athletes traveled to Iowa City to take part in this high level meet. Two Trojans from the girls team competed exclusively in field events — Emma Harwick in high jump and Kortney Babinat in shot put and discus rings. The combined talent of the field event specialists have greatly assisted the girls team, producing a majority of team points this year.

Babinat, a 2022 state qualifier in the shot put, has expanded her throwing prowess to the discus during her senior year. While shot put remains her primary event, she has made it known she plans on attempting to qualify in both events at districts this year.

After warmups were completed, the senior thrower entered the ring and launched three massive heaves. Scratching her furthest throw was a bittersweet moment for Babinat, showing her immense ability while still leaving room for improvement and refined technique. She ended throwing 35″ 2.5′ for a third place finish.

Sam Cantonwien (formerly Sam Holtz) is the assistant girls track and field coach, while also serving as head throws coach for the Trojans. Cantonwien is a former All-American from her time throwing for the Wartburg Knights.

After making a steady comeback and overtaking Des Moines Christian’s Collin Houg, Tyynismaa guts it out and heads for the finish line. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

“She has had a couple frustrating meets so this was a good confidence boost. She also scratched an even farther throw which is frustrating but good to know she has it in her,” she said of Babinat’s performance.

Later, Babinat returned for the discus. After three throws, she was left with an 11th place finish, launching the disc 91’6″.

Harwick struggled in the high jump. The multiple time state qualifier has cleared five feet this season, but on Saturday, she only managed 4’8″ for sixth place. STC Alum and 2018 3A State high jump champion Keith Keahna, who is now serving as assistant high jump coach for Iowa City West, spoke highly of Harwick.

“I only saw a few jumps, but she is looking very consistent since moving her starting mark and only has room for improvement as she works towards her third trip to the State Track and Field Championships,” he said.

Later in the day, South Tama’s dynamic distance running duo, Tommy Tyynismaa and James Brant, warmed up and prepared mentally for one of the most important 1600 meter races of their lives. It was one of the last chances to earn their spots at the Drake Relays as cutoffs for qualifying times are Thursday, April 20.

STC’s James Brant stormed to the finish line and came in sixth place in the 1600 meter run. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

The weather was perfect for the race. Both Brant and Tyynismaa lined up with focus and intention in their eyes. With rays of sunshine, a gentle breeze, and a stacked field, the race was set up perfectly.

When the gun sounded, both rushed to the front of the pack, as to not get boxed inside the crowded field. Two Des Moines Christian athletes led the charge with Tyynismaa and Brant hot in pursuit. Tyynismaa, flanked by Brant, came through the opening lap in between 63 and 64 seconds. The race was off to a fast start with both Trojans sitting in a prime spot.

Laps two and three slowed down drastically, with Caleb Ten Pass of Des Moines Christian putting a huge gap between himself and the entire field. At his highest, Ten Pass had put twenty meters in between himself and the chase pack.

Tyynismaa slotted himself in the second and third position and showed immense racing maturity, leading the charge to catch up to Ten Pass in a controlled and even fashion. Brant was never far behind through these laps, always around a second off Tyynismaa’s shoulder. The duo was set for an exciting final 400.

Heading into the bell lap, the Trojan contingent looked strong and in control. While working down the back stretch, both athletes charged forward. While coming around the final turn, Tynismaa moved into second place and quickly was making ground up on Ten Pass. With 70 meters to go, he overtook the daring Des Moines Christian athlete while sprinting towards the finish line.

Winning the race in a time of 4:22.07, Tynismaa put close to a second on his nearest competitor in the last one hundred meters. Brant came in shortly after achieving a time of 4:30.39 for sixth place.

The STC 1600 meter run has been advanced three times in the past two track seasons, with plenty of racing still remaining. The former record holder before the junior duo rewrote the history books was Joe Hughes, a state cross country champion who set records in the 1600, 3200, and 5k for cross country.

Tyynismaa took the 5k record this past fall, and Brant broke Hughes’ 1600 record at last year’s state track meet.

“I’m confident that both James and Tommy can break my 3200 meter record. They just need a low wind day, and ideally some competition. I’d love to see them go out together and break it at the same time. Yes, guys, that’s a direct challenge!” Hughes said.

Since Huges set his 1600 mark in 1998 at the state track meet, Brant and now Tyynismaa have taken a collective 6.57 seconds off the record and now look to continue their history making track careers at STC.

With Drake Relays cut off this week, we will eagerly wait and see if South Tama’s Columbia blue singlets will make an appearance at the Blue Oval.