WAYLAND

The event where state tickets were up for grabs finally arrived last Thursday as the Highland girls track and field team headed to WACO to compete in a Class 1A state qualifier meet.

Earning the right to test their talents at the Blue Oval in Des Moines next week, Highland qualified for state in three events and ended the night with a score of 37 to tie for ninth place.

The quartet of Maiya Singbeil, Kamryn Fink, Lilly Barre, and Alexa Hahn doubled up when it came to state berths as they qualified for state in the 4x100m and the 4x200m relay races

“Maiya, Alexa, Kamryn, and Lilly were all very motivated to qualify for state,” Highland coach Angela Strobel said. “They’ve been working towards that goal all season and I couldn’t be happier about how things turned out for them.” 

Rising to the moment at hand, these four Huskies ran season best times in the 4x100 (runner-up in 52.34) and in the 4x200 (third in 1:52.36).

“I think my best moment was seeing all four girls huddled around each other after they realized they had run two amazing season best times,” coach Strobel said of Singbeil, Fink, Barre, and Hahn. “Seeing athletes pride themselves after a job well done is one of the best parts of being a coach.  It was awesome!”

In the individual events, Fink qualified for state in the 100m with a third place finish in 13.24. Alongside the relay races, the freshman will compete in three events at state.   

“Kamryn had a fantastic start in the 100 meter dash,” coach Strobel said. “She’s a fierce competitor so I knew she’d do all she could to compete to the very last step.  She held her own in a very fast heat of girls.” 

Up next for Highland is making the trip to Des Moines to compete in the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships taking place from May 22-24.

Highland boys results

The Highland boys season drew to a close at the state qualifier meet, placing 14th with a final team score of four.

William Dunbar gave the Huskies its best individual finish by placing ninth in the 100m in 12.12. Their best relay finish came in the 4x100m as the team of Dunbar, Liam Roberts, Caleb Wheeler, and Bryce Hazelett placed sixth in 46.08.

In the offseason Highland will say goodbye to seniors Dunbar, Cayden Day, and Brixton Rust.

Girls 1A results

100m;

1, Ava Gehrking, English Valleys, 12.81; 3, Kamryn Fink [STATE QUALIFIER], Highland, 13.24; 15, Brena Hazelett, Highland, 15.16

100m hurdles;

1, Josie Nelson, W-MU. 16.25; 6, Mayia Singbeil, Highland, 17.92; 9, Brena Hazelett, Highland, 18.58

200m;

1, Ava Gehrking, English Valleys, 25.91; 19, Ava Sexton, Highland, 31.82; 20, Larissa Murphy, Highland, 32.15

1500m;

1, Chloe Glosser, Pekin, 4:50.90; 8, Grace Bombei, Highland, 5:45.34

3000m;

1, Chloe Glosser, Pekin, 10:45.72; 6, Grace Bombei, Highland, 12:20.78

Discus;

1, Anna Hadley, Pekin, 129-09; 18, Ava Sexton, Highland, 62-11

High jump;

1, Ema Roberts, HLV, 5-04; 4, Mayia Singbeil, Highland, 4-10

Long jump;

1, Kynlee Buffington, W-MU, 17-08; 6, Alexa Hahn, Highland, 14-10.75

Shot put;

1, Anna Hadley, Pekin, 36-06.75; 7, Chloe Sexton, Highland, 32-11.50

4x100m relay;

1, Lone Tree, 51.38; 2, Highland [STATE QUALIFIER] (Mayia Singbeil, Kamryn Fink, Lilly Barre, Alexa Hahn), 52.34

4x200m relay;

1, Lone Tree, 1:48.89; 3, Highland [STATE QUALIFIER] (Lilly Barre, Mayia Singbeil, Kamryn Fink, Alexa Hahn), 1:52.36

Sprint medley;

1, Danville, 1:52.02; 11, Highland (Alexa Hahn, Kamryn Fink, Lilly Barre, Larissa Murphy), 2:13.96

Boys 1A results

100m;

1, London Franklin, New London, 11.32; 9, William Dunbar, Highland, 12.12; 25, Chase Robinson, Highland, 15.69

200m;

1, Alexander Rees, Columbus, 22.56; 15, Caleb Wheeler, Highland, 25.54

400m hurdles;

1, Aiden Van Waus, HLV, 55.95; 16, Elvin Hernandez, Highland, 1:10.26

800m;

1, Kohlby Newsom, W-MU, 1:57.87; 15, Brody Beinhart, Highland, 2:26.40; 21, Jackson Robinson, Highland, 2:54.78

Sprint medley;

1, Pekin, 1:36.11; 10, Highland (Liam Roberts, Bryce Hazelett, Caleb Wheeler, Elvin Hernandez), 1:49.61

4x100m relay;

1, New London, 43.26; 6, Highland (Liam Roberts, William Dunbar, Caleb Wheeler, Bryce Hazelett), 46.08

4x200m relay;

1, New London, 1:30.01; 8, Highland (Liam Roberts, William Dunbar, Bryce Hazelett, Cayden Day), 1:38.20