Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Aaron Lursen of St. Edmond celebrates his Class 1A state championship in the 800-meter run in Des Moines on Saturday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — With roughly 200 meters to go here Saturday, Aaron Lursen knew he was on the cusp of becoming a state champion.

The St. Edmond senior standout had taken control of the Class 1A 800-meter run from the start, holding off Earlham’s Malakai Hale to claim gold.

Lursen finished in 1:56.64 after an opening 400 clocked at 55.32. Hale crossed in 1:57.44.

Lursen, a future Wartburg College runner, then closed out his career with a bronze in the 1,600, setting a new school record in the process.

“I knew that I could only win if I got out hard and held on in the last 200,” Lursen said. “It definitely helped knowing the winning time from the first heat, as it gave a good mark to shoot for.

“It really hit me that I was going to win when I crossed the 600-meter mark. As I was coming down the back straight, I was watching the video board and saw a pretty big gap. That gave me a lot of motivation to keep going, and I definitely needed it in the final 100.”

Lursen, who also ran the anchor leg on the third-place distance medley and fifth place 4×800 during state, could only explain the feeling of winning as “surreal.”

“This is something that I’ve dreamed about and spent years trying to achieve,” he said. “I’ve definitely worked harder this year than any other, and it obviously paid off.

“I couldn’t believe it actually happened — that I was the one person that got to stand up on the podium.”

In the mile, Lursen clocked three consecutive laps at 66 seconds before turning in a 63-second closing 400 for a time of 4:22.81. Woodbine’s Landon Bendgen was the winner in 4:18.92.

“When the gun went off it was pure chaos,” Lursen said. “I was really trapped in and at one point I had to go out to lane five just to get around other runners. Even though I came out of the race with multiple cuts on my legs, I’m happy with my performance.

“In a perfect world I think I had a good shot at winning, but I didn’t. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to go out on the blue oval and represent St. Edmond.”

Lursen finished his career with multiple appearances at both state track and state cross country, and he was also recently honored as the winner of the 2023 Terry Griffey Award — given annually to the top senior boy athlete at St. Edmond.

“My career as a Gael has been full of ups and downs. There have been times where I’ve had to drag myself to practice and times where I could barely wait to get out on the course or track,” Lursen said. “I’ve been blessed with great coaches, awesome teammates and a supportive family. Without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I most definitely wouldn’t be the runner I am. St. Edmond will forever be a part of me, and I will always love coming back to see my old teachers, coaches and my state plaques in the trophy case.

“Running as a Gael has created some of the best memories in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

As a team, the St. Edmond boys finished tied for seventh with 26 points. Lisbon was first, followed by Columbus Junction and Lawton-Bronson.

The sprint medley relay of Faith Shirbroun, Sasha Hess, Brianna Saathoff and Anna Lursen finished 16th in 1:55.16. All four are underclassmen for head coach CJ Tracy.

“They came out and ran well,” Tracy said. “The handoffs looked smooth and we ran right at our district time. It was a good time for that group.

“The state meet was a fun experience for all of these kids. They came out and gave it their heart and soul each race. They should be extremely proud of themselves because I know I am.”