-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Noah Daniels of Fort Dodge compete in 4A boys 200 meter dash on Thursday inside Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — For Noah Daniel and Dalton Eckley, Thursday’s state track and field meet was all about building towards the future.

The Fort Dodge sophomore multi-sport athletes competed in a combined three events here inside Drake Stadium in Class 4A.

Daniel clocked a personal record in the 100-meter dash prelims, placing 17th overall in 11.06. Earlier in the day, he went 22.68 to place 19th in the 200-meter dash prelims.

“It was a great experience for both of them,” FDSH head coach Kevin Astor said. “They are tremendous kids and great things to build upon for next year.”

Ankeny’s Logan Fairchild had the fastest time in both prelims, going 10.62 in the 100 and 21.65 in the 200. Other central Iowa qualifiers included Ankeny Centennial’s Connor Welsch in the 100 and Robert McGhee in the 200, Fairchild’s teammate Jackson Belding in the 200, Johnston’s Jashua Anglo in the 200 and Waukee’s Uriah Allen in the 100 and 200.

“Noah finished higher than he came in with and his last race of the year he ran the best time of his life,” Astor said. “A great way to finish the season. I am so proud of both of them. It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to coach them.

“I want to give a shout out to my assistant and sprint coach, Nik Moser. He has been an invaluable piece. His experience as a former state champion is so important.”

Eckley was unable to clear the opening height in the high jump as Davenport West’s Idris Thomas won gold by clearing 6-foot-6.

West Des Moines Valley’s Ben Sorensen placed second, Ankeny’s Landon Pote was third, West Des Moines Dowling’s London Stone finished tied for fourth and Ankeny’s Cash Schoolen was eighth.