Discus title brings Piche to her knees

DES MOINES -- Amanda Piche collapsed to her knees, her face buried in her hands.

It was raw emotion. Five years of work and weights leading into a state championship.

A senior at Linn-Mar High School, Piche won the Class 4A girls' discus title at the state track meet Thursday afternoon. Her fifth effort of 146 feet, 4 inches vaulted her into the lead. And that's where she stayed.

When West Des Moines Valley's Valerie Veiock failed to surpass Piche on the final throw of the competition, Piche hit the ground.

"I've been working for this since seventh grade," said Piche, who will compete for DePaul University next year. "I'm relieved I ended the season on a high note."

Piche isn't a large girl by high-school discus standards. But don't let that fool you. She's strong.

"I do a lot of squats and bench (presses)," she said. "I can do 280 pounds in the dead lift. My power position is one of my strong points."

Piche's best effort was a career-best by about a foot.

"I calmed down, and I really hit it," she said.

Iowa City High struck the first blow in the 4A girls' team race. The Little Hawks have 30 points in the bank through five events. West Des Moines Valley is second with 18.

"We really want the team title," said Rebecca Rethwisch, the 3,000-meter runner-up. "We get overlooked a lot.

"We've got a great team, and we've got a great chance."

Leading with 400 meters to go, Rethwisch yielded to West Des Moines Dowling freshman Karissa Schweizer, who finished in 10:03.59. Rethwisch, a University of Minnesota recruit, was clocked in 10:08.39.

"I wasn't surprised by her kick," Rethwisch said. "I just wasn't able to match it today. It just happens sometimes."

Virginia Johnson didn't join the City squad until midseason, but wrapped up her abbreviated campaign with a runner-up finish in the high jump, clearing 5-6. Khanishah Williams of Burlington made 5-8 for her third straight title.

"I wasn't going to do track. I wanted to hang out with my friends," said Johnson, who will play basketball at Iowa next winter. "But I got bored of being bored, and I missed the girls.

"If you'd have told me I would come back and finish second at state, I would have laughed. Not at you, but in general."

Iowa City West was second to West Des Moines Valley in the 3,200 relay. The Tigers ran in 9:13.88, West in 9:16.54.

"Sub-9:20, I'm really happy about that," said Ashley Knudson, the third of four sophomores to run for West. "It felt really fast, and there was a lot of good competition."