Iowa state track and field 2021: Top girls’ athletes and teams to watch

DES MOINES — After a year’s absence due to COVID-19, the state track and field meet returns at Drake Stadium this week.

The following is a glance at each class in the girls competition.

Class 4A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Traditionally, the most outstanding girls’ performer of the Drake Relays has been a senior. But Mackenzie Carney’s performance was too impressive to deny. The Waukee junior hurdler is one of the best in state history. Holly Duax of Sioux City West and Claire Ferrell of Norwalk will go head-to-head in the 100 and 200 (Duax is top-seeded in both), and Farrell is the No. 2 seed in the 100, 200 and 400. Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Gabby Cortez has the top regional time in the 400, and Kaia Downs of Sioux City East figures to be a factor in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Break up the Warriors! Actually, that will happen next year, when Waukee splits into two schools. In the meantime, the Warriors are a heavy favorite to capture their fifth consecutive 4A girls’ title, and their seventh in nine tries. It’s possible that they will hit the 100-point mark for the third time in the last four state meets behind 10 top-three seeds. Ankeny and Ames are next in line, and could make it a 1-2-3 CIML trophy sweep. Among area teams, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City Liberty and Linn-Mar should vie for a top-five slot.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Waukee, 2. Ankeny, 3. Ames, 4. Pleasant Valley, 5. Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Class 3A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Carlisle junior Ainsley Erzen is a potential champion in three individual events (400, 800, 1,500) and probably will anchor the Wildcats into contention in the distance medley relay. Audrey Biermann of Western Dubuque also is primed for a gold-medal rush; she’s seeded No. 1 in the 200 and 400, plus the sprint medley relay. Biermann is No. 2 in the 100. Shewaye Johnson of Ballard is the top distance runner, and Miracle Ailes of Keokuk will battle Biermann in the sprints and is a title threat in the high jump.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Dubuque Wahlert has set itself up nicely for another title chase. The Golden Eagles have finished in the top three in six consecutive state meets, and fell a half-point short of the crown in 2019. Wahlert is projected atop the 3,200- and 400-meter relays, plus the long jump. Solon might have the best all-around team, but it’s unclear if the Spartans have enough major point-chasers to keep up with Wahlert. Solon is projected to win the distance medley relay and the 1,600-meter relay, and should have enough to edge Western Dubuque, Davenport Assumption and Oskaloosa for second place.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Dubuque Wahlert, 2. Solon, 3. Western Dubuque, 4. Davenport Assumption, 5. Oskaloosa.

Class 2A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

Jaidyn Sellers of Panorama has emerged as the favorite in 100 and 200, and Ellie Meyer of Iowa Falls-Alden enters with the top regional times in the 1,500 and 3,000. That leaves everything in between, and that’s where Mid-Prairie’s duo of Danielle Hostetler and Mitzi Evans comes into play. A freshman and the state cross country champion, Hostetler figures to chase Meyer in the long runs, and Evans is handy from 200 meters to 800.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Mid-Prairie has state-quality distance runners, sprinters and throwers. And as a result, the Golden Hawks are a solid bet to win their third consecutive title. They are seeded to score in 11 events, doubling up in the 800 and 1,500. Williamsburg was second to the Golden Hawks at the Eddyville region, and is projected to do the same in Des Moines behind top-seeded 400- and 800-meter relays. Osage is intriguing; the Green Devils are seeded to score in nine events, and if they exceed their seeds, they could crash the party.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Mid-Prairie, 2. Williamsburg, 3. Osage, 4. Dike-New Hartford, 5. KP-WC.

Class 1A

TOP INDIVIDUALS

North Cedar’s Kelly Proesch is a threat in four events, and is a heavy favorite in the 100-meter hurdles. She highlights a long list of 1A stars. The Upper Iowa Conference trio of Jalyssa Blazek (Turkey Valley), Haley Meyer (Lansing Kee) and Billie Wagner (South Winneshiek) will be strong in the distance events, along with Danville’s Addison Parrott. Rachel Fehr of West Bend-Mallard is the favorite in the 200 and 400, and Algona Garrigan’s Audi Crooks has her eye on a sweep in the throws.

SCOUTING THE TEAM RACE

Thirty-five points will put a team in the title picture, and 45 should be enough to win it. The teams most likely to push into the 40s are Madrid and Algona Garrigan. Madrid is favored to win the 400- and 800-meter relays, and could double-score in the 100 and 200. Garrigan is stacked in the field events (26 projected points), and could score significant points in the 100 hurdles, shuttle and 1,600 relay. Proesch’s presence could push North Cedar into the mix, and the UIC schools can’t be overlooked.

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Madrid, 2. Algona Garrigan, 3. North Cedar, 4. Turkey Valley, 5. Lansing Kee.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com