DES MOINES - Capping off an unbeaten season in style, the Manson Northwest Webster 4x200 secured gold on the second day of the Class 1A boys state meet Friday afternoon at Drake Stadium.
The Cougar quartet of sophomore Lucas Dolder, sophomore Holden Fiedler, junior Josh Markert and senior Chris Stuhrenberg turned in their best time of the year in 1:31.96. Madrid (1:32.85) settled for silver. MNW placed fifth in the 4x200 here last spring. Yesterday's memorable state triumph in the 4x200 was the first for the Cougars since 1966 and only their third in program history.
Heading into the final session of state competition, the Cougars sit atop the 1A team standings with 33 points. Lisbon (23) is currently second.
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Messenger photo by Doug Dornath
Tucker Herzberg runs for Manson Northwest Webster on Friday in Des Moines. For more photos, visit CU?at www.messengernews.net
"I knew we had it," Stuhrenberg said. "It was good for us coming out of lane eight in the second heat. I have to give a lot of credit to our sophomores, too, for stepping up. I think Manson is about to become known as a track team."
In addition, the defending state champion Cougar distance medley finished sixth in 3:42.51. Taking part on that relay for MNW were Dolder, Fiedler, sophomore Braden Moser and junior Caleb Wubben. Lisbon (3:35.48) took home top honors.
MNW's 4x100 (senior Jesse Partlow, Markert, Stuhrenberg and junior Brody Eischeid, 43.67) and 4x400 (Moser, Stuhrenberg, Dolder and Eischeid, 3:24.88) each posted the fastest times in the prelims as well. Those events were fourth and third, respectively, at state a year ago.
Webster City
Keagan Parks, a senior, finished fourth in the 3A long jump for the Lynx with a mark of 21-07. Glenwood's Grant May (22-00) earned the victory.
In 2011, Parks was seventh in the state long jump.
"Keagan fought his steps and took a full series of jumps, which we don't normally encourage," said WCHS head coach Tony Bussan. "He was still able to battle through it and has an extremely important day ahead of him (this afternoon Parks will compete individually in the both the 100 and 200 finals)."
Nick Erritt, a Webster City senior, also placed fourth in the shot put with a new PR of 53-10.50. Winning the title was Connor Mebus (57-11.75) of Solon. Erritt was 15th in the shot put last spring.
"That was a great way for Erritt to cap off his career," Bussan said.
Senior Andrew May, a Drake Relays qualifier earlier this year, delivered the top time in the 110 hurdle prelims (14.86).
"May was just fantastic in the high hurdles," said Bussan. "He looked great and very strong."
Webster City's 4x100 (junior Nathan Nuehring, May, freshman Cal Zahn and Parks, 43.94) won its heat and was sixth overall in the prelims. Bishop Heelan (43.56) led the way.
"We just have to wait and see how things shake out now," Bussan said. "(Today) has a chance to be special with four events in the finals."
Clarion-Goldfield
Collecting silver in 2A for the Cowboys was the distance medley (junior Brennan Kurfman, senior Dominic Brandt, junior Jayden Boylan and senior Nathan Davis, 3:33.96). North Central Conference rival St. Edmond (3:31.19) repeated as champions in that event.
Algona
For the Bulldogs, the distance medley of senior PJ McMahon, senior Dylan Cink, senior Michael Erpelding and freshman Bo Hjelle (3:36.11) finished sixth in 3A. Algona's 4x100 (junior Branden Garrett, senior Derek Person, McMahon and senior Michael Erpelding, 43.84) was fourth as well in the prelims.
Pocahontas Area/Pomeroy-Palmer
Placing seventh (3:43.32) in the 1A distance medley was the Indian quartet of junior Logan Jepsen, senior Luke Sommerlot, freshman Jake Kopriva and junior Aaron Youngberg.
South Central Calhoun
Titan sophomore Jake Petzenhauser was eighth in the 2A 400 hurdles, clocking a 55.38. Jordan Van Roekel (52.26) of PCM Monroe prevailed for a second consecutive year.
Emmetsburg
Representing the E-Hawks was the 4x100 (senior Brady Berkland, sophomore Brady Christensen, junior Andrew Wellik and sophomore Allen Jensen, 44.23), which was seventh in the 2A prelims.
Boys action resumes this morning at 10:30 a.m. with the 800 finals.
Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net