DES MOINES

Emmett Swartzentruber had just finished the last race of his Mid-Prairie running career and the noise rocking Drake Stadium had become deafening.

He turned around and watched as Quentin Nauman of Epworth Western Dubuque, a University of Oregon commit, high kicked down the stretch at the Blue Oval and threw his arms into the air after becoming the first Iowa high school runner ever to break 4 minutes in the 1600-meter run. More than 10,000 spectators stood and roared.

Swartzentruber joined them in the cheers.

A zillion things were already going through Emmett’s head at the time.

God.

His coaches.

His teammates.

A sixth-place finish and a personal-best time in his final race.

And now this. A Blue Oval moment.

“This is such a real moment. This place …,” Swartzentruber said, his thought trailing off into the noise.

“It really gives you a new respect for fear, for sure,” he said. “I’ve never been more terrified for a race. That atmosphere, great things happen. You’ve just got to push through those feelings and go out there and run.”

Swartzentruber, a 2023 cross country state champion, did just that in his final two high school races at the Blue Oval. He finished third in the 3200 last Thursday morning with a personal-record time of 9:33.35, then came in sixth two days, May 24, later in the 1600 with a PR of 4:21.38. Both were career state best finishes for Swartzentruber.

“Being my senior year, final time on the track, really the biggest goal is to just leave it all out there,” he said. “I just wanted to have nothing left at the finish line. And I accomplished that in both my races.”

He was not alone. Jayse Yoder, a senior teammate, posted an eighth-place finish in the 800 Saturday after finishing second in his heat and leading for much of the race.

“I took it out fast,” Yoder said. “I did what I wanted to the first lap, I was in first place. Second lap, kind of hit a wall. (Dietrich) Dirks passed me. I tried to hold on to second and I did.”

Yoder had a personal-best time of 1:55.73.

“I was really happy with my time,” he said. “Eighth place for 1:55 is insane. A couple of years ago, that would have gotten first.”

Even as recently as last year. Carson Van Sickle of Ogden won the 2A 800 in 2024 with a time of 1:55.58. This year, that would have gotten him eighth place.

But really, this wasn’t about the times. It was something else.

“I kept thinking to myself, this is the last time I’m ever going to wear a Mid-Prairie jersey ever again,” Yoder said. “Even though I’m tired, I’ve just got to give it all I’ve got and enjoy everything. Enjoy this stadium. Enjoy the fans. It really means a lot.”

The last four years flashed in front of Swartzentruber. A cross country state title. Two top 6 finishes at state this year and two top 10 finishes last year. League and district titles. Running on the same team with his younger brother, Max. Winning an indoors state title in Ames in March and right into the arms of youngest brother Leo after crossing the finish line.

After all that, and a packed stadium, Emmett’s head was spinning. Spinning with gratefulness.

“I would like to just thank Coach (Jeremy) Meyers, Coach (Dain) Jeppson,” he said. “They’re great coaches. They really teach us how to work hard and give it our all every day.”

And God.

“God’s good. God’s the one who’s given me these abilities. I’ve got to give all credit to the Lord, Him, for everything, my entire career.”

And a close friend and senior teammate.

“I’m running out here today, not only for all those things,” Emmett said, “but for Thomas Flynn. He’s worked so hard every day his high school career. Just barely didn’t make it this year. I’m out there running for him, too. Shout-out to him.”

Imagine that. You’ve just finished your last high school race, there is noise everywhere, and you’re thinking of a teammate. All your teammates.

“I love those boys. We’re like brothers,” Emmett said. “I’m sad to end my running career with them, but we’ll stay close the rest of my life. I know it.”

News columnist Paul Bowker can be reached at bowkerpaul1@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter (X): @bowkerpaul