Eight area track teams that bear close watch in Thursday’s state-qualifying meets

For most, merely qualifying for the state track and field meet is an accomplishment.

For a select few, the bar is set higher, so to speak. There are medals to glean. Trophies to earn.

Championships to win.

A number of Gazette-area teams have an opportunity Thursday to put themselves in prime position for something big at the state meet (May 22-24 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines).

Their mission at the state qualifying level is to (a) qualify, (b) earn prime heats and lanes. It’s a juggling act of aggression and caution.

Here’s how you qualify:

* In Class 4A, the top two times/distances in each event automatically qualify from each site, plus 12 at-large qualifiers statewide.

* In 3A and 2A, the top two times/distances in each event are automatic qualifiers, plus eight at-large qualifiers statewide.

* In 1A, event champions are automatic qualifiers, in addition to 14 at-large qualifiers statewide.

Field events start at 4 p.m. Thursday, with action starting on the track at 4:30.

Here are eight area teams — four girls’, four boys’ — that bear close watch:

GIRLS

Marion (Class 3A, at Decorah)

Much hinges on the availability of Kyra Cordes, who missed the Wamac Conference meet due to illness. Without her, the Wolves are a top-10 state team. With her, they are a threat for top-three. Marion is ranked in the top five in 3A in six relays, including No. 2 in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x800. Kenzie Lovell and Abby Cave highlight the sprint corps.

Mount Vernon (Class 3A, at Mount Vernon)

For the most part, this is a different crew than those who captured state volleyball and state basketball titles earlier in the school year. The Mustangs are ranked No. 1 in 3A in the distance medley relay, and that anchor, Evelyn Moeller, is the class leader in the 800. The field events are well-stocked with Libby Dix (throws) and Sydney Maue (high jump). The DMR is one of four top-three relays.

Mid-Prairie (Class 2A, at Monticello)

Champions of the River Valley Conference, the Golden Hawks’ strength is their youth. Freshman Jeorgia Evans leads Mid-Prairie’s sprint crew, and Rachel Hostetler — the fourth of the Hostetler sisters and another ninth-grader — has been moving up the 2A ladder in the distance events. The Golden Hawks also have one of 2A’s top five discus throwers in Dessa Poll.

Tipton (Class 2A, at Monticello)

The Tigers figure to get a lot of state points from Noelle Steines (a four-event champion last year) and Ella Hein. A Bradley University recruit, Steines is a top contender in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000, and is likely to team with Hein to form the last two legs of a distance medley relay that is ranked No. 1 in 2A. Hein ranks in the top five in the open 400, the 400 hurdles and the long jump.

BOYS

Iowa City West (Class 4A, at Iowa City West)

The Trojans, along with MVC rival Cedar Falls, are the best bets to challenge reigning champion Ankeny for the 4A title next week. West has the ability to stack field event points behind throwing duo Colin Whitters and James Barnett, along with long jump ace Mason Woods. At 1:50.40, Moustafa Tiea is the 4A leader in the 800, and the Trojans are ranked in the top five in four relays.

Clear Creek Amana (Class 3A, at Mount Pleasant)

This time last year, you probably hadn’t heard of either Landon Prince or Tay Seals. As a junior, Prince threw 47 feet in the shot put, 160 in the discus. Now he’s at 64 and 191, respectively, and the Drake Relays champion in both. A sophomore, Seals is the 3A state leader in the 100 meters, No. 2 in the 110 hurdles and a key member of the Clippers’ 3A-leading shuttle hurdle relay.

Western Dubuque (Class 3A, at Davenport)

“Q” isn’t a question. He’s the answer. Oregon commit Quentin Nauman put on a show at the Drake Relays, becoming the first boy to sweep the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the same year. Nauman won four state events last year (also the distance medley) as the Bobcats claimed the 3A title by one point. Western Dubuque also is No. 1 in the 4x100 and No. 2 in the 4x800.

Lisbon (Class 1A, at Lisbon)

Sprinters — most notably, Tiernan Boots — provide hope for a third consecutive 1A state championship (and the sixth in 11 years). Boots was the state runner-up in the 100 last year, and a member of Lisbon’s top-rated 4x100 and 4x200 relays. The Lions also are top-five in both medley relays, and Gage Holub is ranked third in the 110-meter hurdles.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com