PHOTO VIA THE MESKWAKI SETTLEMENT SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE - Junior Dorothy Bear (left) and freshman Bree Scabbyrobe (right) will represent the Meskwaki Settlement School at the 2026 State Track & Field Meet in Des Moines.

The Meskwaki Settlement School girls track and field program is sending two athletes to the state meet this week in Des Moines. Junior Dorothy Bear and freshman Bree Scabbyrobe both earned their spots after competing at their State Qualifying meet on Thursday, May 14, at Belle Plaine High School.

Bear punched her ticket to Des Moines in the 400 hurdles after she finished in second place in Belle Plaine, with a time of 1:09.98. She finished behind Gladbrook-Rienbeck’s Kennedy Brant, who won the race with a time of 1:05.56. Heading into the meet, Bear was unsure if a trip to state was in her future.

“I didn’t really think I had a chance at state. But I listened to my coach and tried to get a good time,” Bear said.

Girls head coach Dylan Kalinay praised Bear’s leadership and running.

“Dorothy has been a good leader this year. This season hasn’t quite been the one that she has wanted, but she is peaking at the exact point of the season that we want. I am happy for her that she was able to make it back to state again this year,” Kalinay said.

Bear will be making her second trip to state, after running there during her freshman campaign. During her sophomore season, she missed out on a return trip to state by one qualifying spot.

“I didn’t make it back to state my sophomore year,” she said. “So I feel relieved about accomplishing that again this year.”

Scabbyrobe secured her place in Des Moines by finishing in third place in the 400. Running a time of 1:02.40, she came in behind HLV’s Emery Hall (59:85) and Brant (1:00.11) in a competitive race. For the freshman Scabbyrobe, it is an impressive double-feat in her first high school year, as she also ran at the state cross country meet last fall.

“I had the privilege of coaching Bree in cross country,” said track assistant coach and head cross country coach Tracy Sienknecht. “I knew her capabilities in track, and she accomplished just that.”

Scabbyrobe fought through nerves in Belle Plaine to earn the state berth.

“Going into the race I was nervous because I wasn’t satisfied with my times in previous meets,” she said. “But after the race, I felt good about it.”

Kalinay echoed her thoughts on her rising confidence.

“It has been awesome to see Bree grow this year. She has become so much more confident in herself. She brings a very strong work ethic every day — which is something you want to see out of every athlete as a coach,” he said.

Heading into the state meet, both Bear and Scabbyrobe spoke to their dual goals of running well and enjoying their experience.

“I would say my goal is to try to run a personal-best time and to enjoy my time there,” said Bear. “I feel fortunate to be able to compete with the top runners in the state,” said Scabbyrobe. “I’m excited for my first trip to Drake Stadium.”

Kalinay agrees with the girls’ perspective.

“For both girls, the standard is to always go out there and compete. They do a really good job at rising to the occasion. I want them to go out there, have fun, and enjoy themselves,” Kalinay said.

Both girls will travel to Des Moines and run at Drake Stadium during the state meet on May 21-23. Scabbyrobe will run first, with the 1A 400 being held on Thursday at 1:20 p.m. Bear will run the 1A 400 Hurdles on Friday at 12 p.m.