Daylin Schaefer goes from forgettable 2023 to state long jump runner-up for tradition-rich Lisbon

DES MOINES — Daylin Schaefer sprinted down the runway, took flight, then descended into the pit.

As he kicked up sand, he assumed he hadn’t produced a winning jump, but it still represented massive progress for the Lisbon junior.

“I knew I didn’t,” said Schaefer, who still surged into a second-place finish in the long jump at Thursday’s Class 1A state track and field meet at Drake Stadium. “I had to reach for that last step and I was like, ‘Well, let’s just hope it was somewhat decent.’ Ended up being all right, so I’m not gonna get upset about that.”

Schafer’s top effort of 21 feet, 8 inches allowed him to leap past third-place finisher Owen Scott of Hillcrest Academy by a quarter of an inch. Austin Jordan of Grand View Christian won the event (22-00.25).

Both Schaefer and Scott achieved personal-best finishes at state. Scott took 11th in the state meet last season.

“Just looking forward to next year,” said Scott, a sophomore. “I want to win it. I’ll come back next year. I’ll win it next year, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Schaefer didn’t start competing in track and field until last season. After a forgettable 2023, he fully dedicated to the craft this season and has made major gains for the tradition-rich Lions.

“There’s a reason why Lisbon’s so good,” Schaefer said. “We all push each other every day. I love this sport and just Lisbon as a whole (in track). Past years we (had) Kole Becker go through, I’m always trying to be like him. Luke Czarnecki, trying to be like him. We’ve got dudes pushing us to be better.”

The Lions are the defending 1A champions and remain a top contender to repeat this weekend on the famed blue oval.

“All I’m trying to do is score points for my team so we can win this,” Schaefer said. “I really think we can. I think we have a really good shot here.”

Other Gazette area top-three finisher on Thursday:

* Noah Valenzuela of East Buchanan placed third in the 400 with a time of 49.79 seconds.

State track and field: Class 1A Boys

At Des Moines (Drake Stadium)

Top 10 teams (through 5 events) —1.

Long jump — 1. Austin Jordan (Grand View Christian), 22-00.25; 2. Daylin Schaefer (Lisbon), 21-08.0; 3. Owen Scott (Hillcrest Academy), 21-07.75; 5. Lane Vokoun (Belle Plaine), 21-00.25.

3,200 — 1. Landon Benign (Woodbine), 9:15.47; 2. Aidan Shannon (Wapsie Valley), 9:31.84; 3. Gunner Wagner (Woodbine), 9:36.76; 5. Gage Heyne (English Valleys), 9:37.91; 6. Matthew Schaul (Maquoketa Valley), 9:43.35.

3,200 relay — 1. Sibley-Ocheyedan (xxx), 7:58.47; 2. Madrid, 8:05.01; 3. Wapsie Valley, 8:07.19; 5. Lisbon, 8:11.33.

Shot put — 1. Ian Blow (Akron-Westfield), 58-08.25; 2. Morgan Cooley (East Union), 52-05.0; 3. Russell Coil (Columbus Junction), 51-10.25; 4. Ethan Thimmes (North Cedar), 50-10.75.

400 — 1. Ryce Reynolds (Mount Ayr), 47.90; 2. Isaiah Johnson (George-Little Rock), 49.57; 3. Noah Valenzuela (East Buchanan), 49.79.