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District Track and Field: STC boys, Meskwaki girls send athletes to state

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

On Thursday, May 11, Track and Field teams from across the state of Iowa set out to punch their ticket to the State Coed Meet in Des Moines. Participants could qualify by placing top two at the event or waiting and receiving one of the eight at-large qualifications based on their marks and times at the district meet.

In typical spring sports fashion, the night was a mix of all forms of weather. With temperatures hovering around the high 70s, 50 percent humidity, 15 mph wind gusts, and scattered rain showers, the conditions weren’t ideal for athletes.

STC senior girls go out with heartbreak

Kicking off the night for the Lady Trojans was two time State Qualifier in the high jump, senior Emma Harwick. Harwick has had an up and down season, struggling to find consistency while simultaneously clearing 5’0″ on multiple occasions.

On the night, Harwick cleared the opening height of 4’6” on her second attempt before failing her next three jumps at 4’8″, taking her out of the competition. The two time previous qualifier was visibly frustrated and embraced her coach Emily Chyma after her night of high jump competition had ended.

This won’t be the last of Emma Harwick as she plans to continue competing in track and field at the collegiate level.

Kortney Babinat was the other returning state qualifier for the Trojans. Coming off an impressive performance at the WaMac Conference meet the previous week, Babinat had momentum alongside a new PR in the shot put.

Babinat earned her spot out of the preliminary flights with a throw of 37′ 2.5″. This throw positioned her in fifth place heading into finals.

In the final round of the shot put competition, Babinat couldn’t find the same level that brought her a throw of 39′ 9” the previous meet. Scratching her first two throws followed by a heave of 36′ 1″, the senior came close but ultimately missed qualifying for state again.

Meskwaki sends solo athlete to state

MSS Junior Sia Bear is becoming quite familiar in qualifying for the state track and field meet. At BGM’s district meet, Meskwaki’s star jumper leaped an incredible 16 ‘4.25″ to easily qualify for the prestigious meet a second time. In addition to her qualification, she also set a new Meskwaki Settlement School long jump record with her jump. Bear looks to further this mark on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on the runway inside of Drake Stadium.

STC boys send five events to Des Moines

Despite the strange weather patterns over Pella, the Trojan boys managed to qualify athletes in five different events.

The first qualifier from the team was Nathaniel “Bubbz” Palmarez, who was a longshot to qualify as he was ranked number four in the district. Throwing alongside the traditional powerhouse that is Pella turned out to be a major advantage for the senior looking to make his first state meet.

Both Pella athletes made it through to the state meet, and the fierce competition brought out a lifetime best heave for Palmarez, who launched the solid metal ball 48’2″ for a fourth place finish in the district. This massive lifetime best was enough to secure one of the eight at large qualifying spots for Palmarez.

Continuing the Trojans success was the 4×800 meter relay team. STC has had a streak of qualifying in this event, and this year was no different as the quartet of James Brant, Braxten Rohrs, Cade Rosenberger, and Tommy Tyynismaa took second place only to the team from Pella, securing their qualification to the state meet in a time of 8:20.95. The Trojans look to better their seventh place finish from last season.

After a few more events and a mandatory break, the starting gun was loaded and blocks were set. It was time for the Distance Medley Relay. In talking with head coach Danny Mayo and assistant coach Robert Tyynismaa, neither could recall the last time a Distance Medley had qualified for the state meet.

Trey Etzen started out the medley, passing the stick to Cody Blocker. Blocker handed off to Brant before, finally, Brant handed to Tommy Tyynismaa. Tyynismaa took his time and reeled in multiple teams, leading to a second place finish, once again behind Pella.

With a time of 3:35.9, the relay secured their spot on the blue oval for the state meet. This time puts the Trojans as the second fastest seed time in 3A and a spot in the fast heat at state.

Tyynismaa’s night was far from over. After anchoring two relays to qualifying finishes, he turned his sights on the individual events, starting his solo campaign off in the 800 meter run.

In what looked like a job, Tyynismaa ran behind Pella senior Chase Laughman, and both cruised through to state running 1:57.23 and 1:57.91 respectively. The pair dualed multiple times at the Drake Relays in both the 1600 and 800, with Laughman coming out ahead of Tyynismaa both times.

Next up was the 1600. In this race, returning state qualifier Brant lined up alongside teammate Tyynismaa. The duo managed to weave through traffic in the crowded field, and both earned their spot at state in an especially fast district race.

State Track and Field Meet event date and times:

Thursday

Sia Bear, Long jump, 11:30 a.m.

STC 4×800, 5:50 p.m.

Friday

STC Distance Medley, 3:20 P.M.

Nathaniel “Bubbz” Palmarez, Shot put, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

Tommy Tyynismaa, 800 meters, 11:10 a.m.

James Brant and Tommy Tyynismaa, 1600 meters, 2:15 p.m.