Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Connor Carver clears a hurdle at the state meet in Des Moines on Friday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Competing in multiple events this spring is nothing new for Connor Carver.

But doing so on the biggest stage of them all definitely made it a little more memorable.

The Fort Dodge senior showed his mental and physical toughness here Friday during day two of the state track and field championships, qualifying for the finals in the Class 4A 110 hurdles while placing in the Top-12 in two other events.

Carver clocked the third-fastest qualifying time in the 110 hurdles in his first race at 14.67. He will compete for a state title inside Drake Stadium on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. in the finals.

From there, Carver went to shot put, launching a throw of 49-7 to place 12th overall. He completed his day with a 10th place showing in the 400 hurdles in 55.55.

“I didn’t run my cleanest race, but it was a beautiful day and you’re at Drake Stadium so that always helps,” Carver said. “I tried to keep the same mentality and Coach (Nik) Moser helped make sure everything went smoothly doing back-to-back-to-back events.

“They didn’t go as well as planned, but I just went out, competed and tried to have some fun. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m excited to take advantage of it.”

Mariah Myers and Lainey Maehl were both in action in the shot put, as Myers placed 13th overall with a throw of 35-7.75 and Maehl was 17th with a toss of 34-00.75. Pleasant Valley’s Mackenzie Fish won it at 41-3.75.

In the 110 hurdles, Carver was second in the second heat to Nicholas Gorsich from Linn-Mar, who went 14.17. Gorsich would later claim the 400 hurdles title in a state-leading 51.80.

Carver finished second in the second heat of the 400 hurdles to Morgan Hendrickson of Cedar Falls, who went 55.46. His best throw in the shot put was this third, as he also had tosses of 49-2.5 and 45-3.25 to place second in the first flight.

Dubuque Senior’s Cohen Pfohl won the discus with a throw of 57-5 followed by Norwalk’s Maddux Borcherding-Johnson. Both competed as heavyweights this winter in wrestling and were linemen in football.

Myers, a sophomore, was third on Thursday in the discus for her first state medal. Her first throw was her best, as she also had tosses of 35-0.5 and 35-6.5.

Maehl, a senior, had her best throw on her second, as her first attempt was marked at 33-7 and her final one at 33-4.75. This was the final time competing as a Dodger for Maehl, who was a standout in volleyball and basketball for FDSH over the years.

“As a competitor, you play to win, but 17th was much higher than I was seeded (23rd) coming into this, so overall I’m proud of where I ended up,” she said. “I loved being able to experience state track again and it was fun to throw inside the stadium instead of outside like last year.

“I appreciate everything all of the coaches did to help me get here and make the whole experience better. This was a great way to end my Dodger career and I appreciated the final opportunity to represent the school.”

Angel Gervacio will also take to the track on Saturday, competing in the wheelchair 100 at 10 a.m.