Smock king at 1,600

By Rob Gray

Correspondent

DES MOINES - Conner Smock eyed history Saturday the same way he always does: Through red-and-white tinted lenses.

The Lisbon standout held off a late charge from Ackley AGWSR Isaac Montes in Saturday's Class 1A 1,600-meter run, becoming the first athlete in state track and field history to glean three golds from that event in addition to four top trophies in the 3,200.

“We really wanted the team points,” said Smock, who scored 26 points by himself to help the Lions finish third in the team standings with 39 points. “We were in the running.”

Manson-Northwest Webster pulled up to win with 53 points. Earlham took second with 41.

Smock glided into the state track and field history books amid thunderous applause - and closed that chapter of his running life with eight titles.

“It is probably the coolest experience of my life to be here with just thousands and thousands of people yelling,” said Smock, who will run in Bradley's fledgling program next season. “They could all be yelling against you and even then it's going to help so much more than any other meet. I can't even describe it. The atmosphere is amazing.”

So is Smock, according to Montes and others.

Smock ran the 1,600 in 4:26.13.

Montes finished in 4:27.88, but made a late pass before Smock's kick proved too powerful.

“You run so good, I'm a fan,” Montes said before sharing a hug with Smock.

Smock told Montes he has a lot of great racing in front of him.

And meant it.

“There's no one I can think of that's ever said any hateful things to anyone else,” Smock said of the collegial relationship between him and competitors. “Everybody wants other people to do their best and help push them to do better.”

No other area 1A boys' athlete won a title Saturday, but Clayton Ridge's 1,600 relay team earned silver.

“We like making our parents and friends happy,” anchor Brian Vaughan said of the all-around breakthrough weekened for the Eagles.

Smock said he's stoked about running for Bradley, which restarted its program this season after a 20-year absence.

“I think it will be really fun to be able to run for a new team like that,” he said.