City High nickel-and-dimes way to 4A girls title

DES MOINES -- Iowa City High is a girls' track team without a superstar.

A champion without a superstar, to be more specific.

The Little Hawks didn't win an event all weekend, but scored in 12 -- including four runner-up finishes -- and claimed the Class 4A crown Saturday at Drake Stadium.

"It says we're a true team," distance runner Rebecca Rethwisch said after the Little Hawks wrapped it up. "We just want a little respect."

City High scored 69 points to capture its seventh title, and its first since 2004. Des Moines Roosevelt was second with 63 while last year's champion, Iowa City West, scored 60.

"We've been close several times," said City Coach Tom Mittman. "I'm mostly happy for our seniors. They've never had the opportunity to experience this. It's really special."

Mittman wouldn't elaborate on Rethwisch's no-respect comment, but didn't disagree.

"Sometimes, our girls haven't gotten the recognition they deserved," he said. "But today was their day."

City High clinched the title in the 1,500, when Meg Richardson and Rethwisch finished fourth and seventh. It was representative of the Little Hawks' weekend: No gold medal, but points. Valuable points.

As always, the Little Hawks showed up at state with Little Hawk designs on their hips. And, an added touch this year, butterfly stickers on their faces.

"We thought of ourselves as a caterpillar, inching along. This week, we were going to break out of our cocoon and spread our wings," Richardson said.

West got a runner-up finish from its 400-meter relay team and a double points from Shahana Williams and McKennan Cronbaugh in the 100 and 200.

Cedar Rapids Washington was the highest-finishing Metro team, placing eighth with 32 points. Former Washington star LaNeisha Waller was inducted into the IGHSAU Track Hall of Fame on Saturday.