Oelwein's Meyer makes quite a leap

DES MOINES -- Non-qualifier as a freshman, champion as a sophomore.

Now, that's progress.

Stephen Meyer of Oelwein captured the Class 3A boys' high jump title Thursday at the state track meet at Drake Stadium, clearing 6 feet, 4 inches on a soggy afternoon.

"It was my first time here, and I think that affected me early," said Meyer, who missed once at each of the four heights he cleared -- 5-10, 6-0, 6-2 and 6-4. "I went over and ran in the shuttle hurdle relay (preliminaries) and I think that helped loosen me up."

Meyer didn't seem to mind dodging the raindrops. In fact, he sort of embraced the conditions.

"A lot of our meets have been kind of like this," he said. "It's all right with me."

Algona leads the 3A boys' race through five events. The Bulldogs have 17 points. Sioux City Heelan is second with 13, followed by Storm Lake (12).

Tyler Rutenbeck of Maquoketa was third in the 400-meter dash. He was clocked in 49.65 seconds. Ted Hergert of Clear Creek Amana was fourth.