‘Close-knit’ Solon Spartans repeat as Class 3A girls’ state track and field champions

DES MOINES — In one year, partially out of necessity, Gracie Federspiel transformed herself from “piece of a championship team” to “centerpiece.”

The junior blazed to the Class 3A girls’ 800-meter championship at the state track and field meet Saturday at Drake Stadium.

She was a major reason — but far from the only one — that the Spartans repeated as 3A team champions.

“There are so many pieces to this team,” Federspiel said. “I was happy I was able to contribute to the team points and make them proud. They inspire me.”

Solon picked up four top-three finishes Saturday alone and scored 79 points. Adel ADM was second with 62.

“We’re a really close-knit team,” Aly Stahle said after her third-place finish in the 200.

In some cases, they are siblings. Aly Stahle is the younger sister to senior Sophia Stahle. Another set of sisters — junior Mia Stahle and freshman Piper Stahle — are distant cousins.

The Spartans distanced themselves from the field early Saturday. They were second in the sprint medley relay. Then Federspiel struck gold in the 800.

Then Solon was second in the shuttle hurdle relay. Then it was Aly Stahle, third in the 200.

By 2 p.m., Solon had a stranglehold on a title repeat.

Last year, Federspiel was in the background behind stars Emma Bock and Kaia Holtkamp. Now, she’s front and center. She ran to the lead with 200 meters to go and won the 800 in 2:12.97.

“I wasn’t honestly expecting to feel that good,” she said. “It’s really fun to run the relays, but I used that momentum (from the first two days for this race).”

⧉ Related article: Photos: Day 3 of the 2023 Iowa high school state track and field meet

Mount Vernon capped a strong weekend (34 points and a fifth-place tie) with a runner-up finish in the 1,600-meter relay.

“We finally got a medal that isn’t bronze,” freshman anchor Caliana Whitaker said. “(Third runner) Emma (Meester) is a senior, so I went as hard as I could. I made a special effort for her.”

Saturday results: Class 3A girls

Top 10 teams — 1. Solon 79, 2. Adel ADM 62, 3. Pella 42, 4. Dubuque Wahlert 41, 5. (tie) Des Moines Hoover and Mount Vernon 34, 7. Clear Lake 31, 8. Carroll 27, 9. Ballard 26, 10. Atlantic 25.

RESULTS (Top 3 and area placewinners)

Sprint medley relay — 1. Dubuque Wahlert (McClimon, Donovan, McDonald, Steffen, 1:47.60; 2. Solon, 1:48.22; 3. Clear Lake, 1:48.22; 5. Decorah, 1:48.86; 6. Maquoketa, 1:49.20; 7. Mount Vernon, 1:49.82.

800 — 1. Gracie Federspiel (Solon), 2:12.97; 2. Ava Rush (Atlantic), 2:14.14; 3. Sarah Feddersen (Gilbert), 2:15.48; 6. Laura Swart (Mount Vernon), 2:17.80; 7. Iris Dahl (Washington), 2:19.61.

Shuttle hurdle relay — 1. Newton (Lampe, Priest, Rorabaugh, Terpstra), 1:04.79; 2. Solon, 1:05.18; 3. Clear Creek Amana, 1:06.69; 5. Decorah, 1:08.21; 8. Cedar Rapids Xavier, 1:09.80.

100 — 1. Jessica Kyne (Des Moines Hoover), 12.25; 2. Makayla Crannell (Adel ADM), 12.31; 3. Taylor Wing (Maquoketa), 12.32; 6. Brynn Walters (Western Dubuque), 12.49; 8. Ava Ramler (Western Dubuque), 12.77.

100 hurdles — 1. Jerra Merchant (Spencer), 14.39; 2. Addisyn Terpstra (Newton), 14.44; 3. Silvana Kabolo (Clear Creek Amana), 14.97; 4. Naomi Durin (Cedar Rapids Xavier), 15.00; 6. Sophia Stahle (Solon), 15.04.

200 — 1. Jessica Kyne (Des Moines Hoover), 25.06; 2. Makayla Crannell (Adel ADM), 25.25; 3. Aly Stahle (Solon), 25.58; 6. Caliana Whitaker (Mount Vernon), 25.97; 8. Lani Hubka (Decorah), 26.08.

1,500 — 1. Paityn Noe (Ballard), 4:28.80; 2. Marissa Ferebee (Pella), 4:47.54; 3. Maya Bergstrom (Carlisle).

400 relay — 1. Des Moines Hoover (Smith, Kyne, Karnga, Kyne), 48.28; 2. Adel ADM, 48.79; 3. Maquoketa, 48.81; 4. Western Dubuque, 48.90; 6. Decorah, 49.37; 8. Solon, 50.40.

1,600 relay — 1. Dubuque Wahlert (Roling, Donovan, Steffen, Donovan), 3:58.56; 2. Mount Vernon, 4:01.22; 3. Pella, 4:02.05; 6. West Delaware, 4:03.45.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com