Melchert makes Monticello history

DES MOINES — Monticello's Michael Melchert smiled, fully understanding the motivational message behind the comment.

One of his coaches simply issued a gentle reminder before Thursday's Class 2A boys' state track meet at Drake Stadium.

History could be made in the 3,200 meter run — by Melchert.

'(He) always teases me because no one's ever doubled up individually at Monticello,' Melchert said. 'So it's pretty nice to get that double.'

Nice and important.

Melchert ruled the 3,200 for the second year in a row, breaking a 2A meet record that stood since 1989.

Melchert surged as the crowd rose and cheered during a final lap that finished off a run of 9:17.69 — an effort that eclipsed the old standard of 9:20.42 set by Iowa Valley's Mark Hammons.

'When I came up with a lap to go I had a lot of kick left,' said Melchert, who later contributed to the defending state champion Panthers' second straight 3,200-meter relay title. 'My coach just said to get first place and if the record's there, go for it. So with one to go I looked up at the clock. I just had to run like a 66 so I decided to go for it.'

That mentality continued to permeate Monticello's team — and culminated in the 3,200 relay triumph just .8 seconds off the record of 7:53.46 set up the Panthers last season.

Nick Meyers kicked off that win, taking the lead for good on the second lap of the first leg.

Monticello took a commanding lead in the standings, too, totaling 30 points — with Meyers, an alternate last season, helping cement one of two perfect 10s.

'It's definitely very important to contribute to the win and eventually, hopefully, a team title,' Meyers said. 'But I was there with these guys all of last year so I was able to kind of share that experience with them. This year, hopefully, we'll be able to do it again with me involved.'

Ben Ahlrichs anchored the relay team to victory and said beating all classes in the event at April's Drake Relays provided a big confidence boost.

'We know we can be the best ones out there if we want to (be),' Ahlrichs said.

Cascade's Haris Takes proved to be best in the 2A long jump, setting a personal record with a top leap of 21-feet, 4 3/4-inches.

'By a couple inches,' said Takes, who took sixth last year.

It could have been more.

'I was like a foot behind the board,' said Takes, who is competing in three other state events. 'But it's a pretty good feeling to end on that.'

Beckman's Grant Hammann took third in the 400 meters. Monticello's Isaac Holtz added a third-place finish in the shot put, adding to another red-letter day with more, possibly, to come. The Panthers' 30 points lead second-place Panorama's 16.

'We've got bigger things down the road,' Ahlrichs said.