Danielle Hostetler and Mitzi Evans give Mid-Prairie 2 state track golds on opening day

Mid-Prairie's Mitzi Evans runs for the finish on her way to winning the 2A 400-meter dash at the 2022 Iowa High School Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Evans won with 56.36. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

DES MOINES — Danielle Hostetler grabbed a cup of cold water, poured it over her head, then collapsed to the ground.

The Mid-Prairie standout had just won her second straight title in the 3,000-meter run at Thursday’s Class 2A girls’ state track and field meet, so relief merged with elation as she extended an historic family streak — and drew in deep breaths.

“It’s the best feeling in the entire world,” said Hostetler, who now has shared an astonishing 16 state track crowns in various events with her older sisters Marie and Anna. “To go through all that pain and then to just be able to (win).”

Marie claimed two state track championships in the 3,000 and one in the 1,500.

Anna Hostetler won three state titles in the 1,500, two in the 800 and one in the 3,000.

Anna’s win in the 3,000 came in 2017, which means the three sisters have triumphed in the past five runnings of the event.

Danielle Hostetler said her sisters returned home last night and delivered a pep talk to her.

“Just trying to make me not be so nervous,” said Danielle, who battled a shin injury much of the season. “It’s just special to have them here.”

Especially after she overcame the stress reaction in her shin and peaked at the right time.

“When I came back to running I wasn’t doing much,” Hostetler said. “I’m just so thankful to be here.”

Later she’d share an embrace with her sisters. The streak continues. And there could be more to come.

“They’ll be so happy for me,” Hostetler said. “They know how much pain it is and they appreciate it.”

Hours later, one of Hostetler’s teammates made history, as well.

Mitzi Evans won the Golden Hawks’ first state title in the 400, racing across the stripe in a personal-record 56.36 seconds.

The standout senior triumphed by a full second over runner-up Erika Kuntz of KP-WC.

“I’ve been wanting this for a long time,” Evans said. “I was really happy and thankful to God, because without him, there would be none of this.”

Tipton’s 3,200-relay team felt good about a second-place state finish. Van Meter dominated the race, finishing in 9.33.48. The Tigers all ran well, however, and sophomore Alivia Edens provided a strong anchor leg to surge past Williamsburg, which earned third. Jesup took fourth.

“We all have the same times,” said Edens, who helped Tipton finish in 9:58.74. “And if one of us has a bad day, we all pick each other up.”

Other area 2A girls’ top-eight finishers:

Macy Daufeldt of West Liberty leaped a personal-best 18 feet, 1/2 inch to attain a second-place finish in the long jump. The multi-sport star will play volleyball for Drake.
Monticello’s 3,200-meter relay team finished sixth in 10:05.77.

Thursday’s results, Class 2A girls

Top 10 teams (through 5 events): 1. Mid-Prairie 25, 2. Clear Lake 19, T-3. Van Meter 14, T-3. Denver 14, 5. Osage 10, T-6. West Lyon 9, T-6. Carroll Kuemper 9, T-8. Tipton 8, T-8. KP-WC 8, T-8. West Liberty 8, T-8. Underwood 8, T-8. Clarinda 8

Shot put: 1. Sydney Eggena (Denver) 44-00.50; 2. Jana Ter Wee (West Lyon) 41-11.50; 3. Kenzie Schon (Carroll Kuemper) 40-03.

3,000: 1. Danielle Hostetler (Mid-Prairie) 10:27.77; 2. Mayson Hartley (Clarinda) 10:50.81; 3. Katelyn Johnston (Osage) 10:55.51.

Long jump: Rose Brownlee (Clear Lake) 18-07; 2. Macy Daufeldt (West Liberty) 18-00.5; 3. Carlee Rochford (New Hampton) 17-06.75.

3,200 relay: 1. Van Meter (M. Kelly, Fryar, Herman, C. Kelly) 9:33.48; 2. Tipton 9:58.74; 3. Williamsburg 10:00.77; 4. Jesup 10:04.52; 6. Monticello 10:05.97.

400: 1. Mitzi Evans (Mid-Prairie) 56.36; 2. Erika Kuntz (KP-WC) 57.36; 3. Reese Brownlee (Clear Lake) 58.29.