Keiffer Sexton captures Highland's first individual state track title since 1968

DES MOINES — Highland's Keiffer Sexton knew history was on the line when he stepped onto the track at Drake Stadium.

The significance of writing his own chapter in the annals of his school's track and field program wasn't lost on him either.

Sexton captured the Class 1A 3,200-meter run in 9:45.96, marking the first individual state title for Highland since the high jump in 1968. The win was also the first state title in any event for the Highland boys since the 800-meter relay won in 1974.

'It's a really big deal, especially when we've had two other state champions in other events like bowling and wrestling,' Sexton said. 'To be a part of that means a lot because it shows how much I've worked hard and the rewards I've gotten for it by putting in the effort to win.'

Sexton found himself in a tight race with Lisbon's Reid Smock — who finished second in 9:46.85 — and watched him take the lead with a little more than two laps to go. If he was going to go with him, Sexton knew he couldn't sit back much longer.

'My goal was to stay with second place for up to 800 left in the race and that paid off for me,' Sexton said. 'I went a little earlier than I'd like to, but I knew it was either now or never. That had to be my moment to give it everything I've got.'

'When I popped off a 22-02, I knew I've got to get something better here and get some more speed,' Squiers said. 'I came up and hit the board and hit a good jump. I knew it was good and when it said 22-04, I felt good about it.'

Jesup's Ethan Wyant, who entered the 400-meter dash with the fourth fastest qualifying time, won the event in 49.56. Lisbon's Jack Butteris was second in 49.87, joining Wyant as the only two 400-meter runners in Iowa's Class 1A to break 50 seconds this season.

'It felt amazing,' Wyant said. 'There was so much adrenaline going and just joy.'

Butteris' eight points helped Lisbon jump out to the lead in the team race with 26 points.

STATE TRACK & FIELD MEET: CLASS 1A BOYS

Teams (through five events) — 1. Lisbon, 26; 2. Algona Garrigan, 11; 3. Highland, 11; 4. Newell-Fonda, 10; 4. Lone Tree, 10; 4. Fort Dodge St. Edmond 10; 4. Jesup, 10; 8. Bellevue, 9; 9. Coon Rapids-Bayard, 8; 9. Northwood-Kensett, 8

Results (top 3, plus area)

Shot put — 1. Mason Scheidegger (Newell-Fonda), 55-02.50; 2. Tom Yezek (Northwood-Kensett), 54-02.75; 3. Caleb Meinders (AGWSR), 52-07

Long jump — 1. Jovonte Squiers (Lone Tree), 22-04.75; 2. Brandon Riley (CR-Bayard), 22-02.25; 3. Zac Kibby (Bishop Garrigan), 21-08; 7. Brett Givens (Lisbon), 20-04.75; 8. Billy Burton (Highland), 20-03

3,200 — 1. Keiffer Sexton (Highland), 9:45.96; 2. Reid Smock (Lisbon), 9:46.85; 3. Riley Bauer (North Union), 9:54.35

3,200 relay — 1. St. Edmond, Fort Dodge (T. O'Tool, A. Loerts, C. Flattery, H. Mayer), 8:12.14; 2. Lisbon, 8:12.36; 3. Manson NW Webster, 8:21.50; 4. North Linn, 8:22.34

400 — 1. Ethan Wyant (Jesup), 49.56; 2. Jack Butteris (Lisbon), 49.87; 3. Chad Blank (Nishnabotna), 50.59

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