At sub-1:50 and sub-4:00, Quentin Nauman stands alone, nationally

DES MOINES -- Quentin Nauman brought 10,000 fans to their feet, and moved himself to tears.

The distance superstar from Western Dubuque concluded a memorable weekend with a historic race in the Class 3A boys’ 1,600-meter race at the state track and field meet Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium.

Nauman became the first high school athlete in United States history to run a sub-1:50 800 and a sub-4:00 1,600 in the same track and field meet.

He went 1:49.41 and 3:59.60, respectively.

“I saw 3:59 on the scoreboard when I crossed the finish line, and I heard the crowd erupt,” said Nauman, a junior and a University of Oregon commit. “I knew I had done it, and all I could do it sit down (beyond the finish line) and cry.”

When he got back to his feet, he bowed to the crowd.

Nauman’s performance (he also won the 3,200, and rallied the Bobcats from behind in the distance medley relay with a ferocious anchor leg) was the undisputed highlight of a three-day meet in front of record crowds.

Western Dubuque's Quentin Nauman 1,600-meter finish during Iowa State Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines Saturday, May 24, 2025. pic.twitter.com/N9UToXb2k6

— Iowa Prep Sports (@iowaprepsports) May 25, 2025

Saturday’s number was 10,667 (previous record was 10,241, set in 2023). The weekend total was 40,820 (the former mark was 40,567, also in 2023).

Lisbon’s boys were the sole area team champion, claiming their third consecutive Class 1A title.

“It just shows how dominant we really are,” senior Dakota Clark said. “We can run not our best meet, but we can still come out here and put points on the board and get the job done.”

Ankeny and Newton won the 4A and 3A boys’ championships, with Spirit Lake and Okoboji sharing the 2A crown.

Waukee Northwest (4A), Adel ADM (3A), Pella Christian (2A) and Saint Ansgar (1A) were the girls’ champions.

Mount Vernon was the 3A girls’ runner-up.

In area other highlights:

Tipton’s Noelle Steines won four 2A girls’ events for the second straight year, claiming the 800 and 1,500 Saturday. She finishes her career with 12 state titles -- four at Calamus-Wheatland (1A), eight at Tipton (2A).

Center Point-Urbana’s Nathan Miller was a four-event champion, reigning in the 400, 400 hurdles, sprint medley relay and 4x400.

Steines and Miller both have committed to Bradley University.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com