Harrington concludes a 4-flag week with a winning anchor

DES MOINES -- The award for Outstanding Performers at the Drake Relays won't be released until Monday.

But really, seriously, is there any doubt in the high school boys' division?

James Harrington of Cedar Falls picked up his fourth championship Saturday afternoon, anchoring the Tigers to the 400-meter relay title in 42.23 seconds.

The junior previously won the 100-meter dash and ran on the 800-meter relay and 1,600-meter medley.

Four races, four wins.

"I knew we had a chance to do some big things," he said. "I get the baton, and every time I go as fast as I can."

The Tigers edged West Des Moines Valley (42.33) and Cedar Rapids Washington (42.39). The Warriors' performance buoyed the spirits of anchor Alex Carr.

"We're right there. Right there," said Carr, whose team will return to Drake Stadium in three weeks to pursue its third consecutive Class 4A state championship.

"We knew that if we ran like we should, and that if we hit all of our exchanged, we would be right there. I feel like we are."

Washington's third-place performance -- Carr was joined by cousin Alonzo Carr, Will Griffin and Kristopher Gardner -- matched the best finish by area boys Saturday.

Nick Lucas of Linn-Mar was third in the 400-meter hurdles, in 53.90 seconds. Nick Efkamp of Madrid won it in 53.04.

Alex Baldwin of Spirit Lake Park captured the 1,600-meter run in 4:14.76.

Other boys' winners Saturday were Indianola in the 3,200-meter relay (7:52.42), Waverly-Shell Rock in the shuttle hurdle relay (56.63) and Valley in the 1,600-meter relay (3:19.73).