Gunnells a study in consistent dominance

DES MOINES — For Shelby Gunnells, consistency reflected dominance.

A junior at Solon High School, Gunnells collected each of the top five efforts in the Class 3A girls' shot put at the state track meet Friday at Drake Stadium.

Gunnells' top effort — 43 feet, 11 inches — gave her a state title to go along with the Drake Relays crown she won four weeks ago.

'My goal was to get a mark in, then try to work it up from there,' she said.

She followed the plan to perfection.

Her first throw was 42 feet. Her next one was 43-11, and then it was a game of catch-me-if-you-can.

Nobody could.

All five of her throws (with the exception of a scratch) traveled more than 42 feet.

'This is what I dreamed about,' Gunnells said afterward. 'I trusted what I've been doing; it's what I've been working for all season.

'Now I want to keep getting better.'

Defending champion Davenport Assumption continues to hold the upper hand in the 3A girls' team race. The Knights have 49 points with a lot more to come Saturday. Mount Pleasant is second with 44 points, followed by Dubuque Wahlert (39).

Hailey Schwenker, a freshman from Maquoketa, was the area's next best finisher. She was fourth in the 400 hurdles.

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