Tipton boys win first state track 3,200-meter relay title in 20 years

Clockwise from left: Tipton runners Cody Bohlmann, Caden Schmidt, Clay Bohlmann and Ty Nichols celebrates winning the 2A 4 x 800-meter relay at the 2022 Iowa High School Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Tipton won in 8:08.83. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

DES MOINES — Three Tipton Tigers clapped, roared and smiled.

One — senior Cody Bohlmann — finished what the other three started: A dominant win in the 3,200-meter relay Thursday in the Class 2A boys’ state track and field meet at Drake Stadium.

“It’s something like I’ve never felt before,” said Bohlmann, whose younger brother, Clay, ran the second leg. “I’ve been a part of a couple championship teams in cross country, but this one here in Drake takes the cake for sure.”

And how about this for cause for celebration: The Tigers — who finished in a season-best 8:08.83 — won the state title for the first time since stringing three championships in a row from 2000-02.

And their coach, Mike Wehde, was the anchor in the race when Tipton won its first boys’ 3,200-meter state crown in 1981.

Tipton's Cody Bohlmann celebrates as he crosses the finish line on his winning anchor leg during the 2A 4 x 800-meter relay at the 2022 Iowa High School Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Tipton won in 8:08.83. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

The Tigers also finished second last season, which didn’t sit well with junior Caden Schmidt, who ran the third leg.

“I felt like we could build off of that, but second place last year hurt a lot,” Schmidt said. “I enjoyed getting first place with these boys right here.”

Jesup shot-putter Carson Lienau won his second consecutive state title, but not without some tense moments — especially the end.

Runner-up Austin Busch of South Hamilton unleashed an excellent throw late that nearly forced Lienau to need his best throw to be his last one. Once the distance was announced — Busch’s throw went 58 feet, 8 1/2 inches, Lienau could heave a sigh of relief, then pump his fists in triumph.

Lienau’s winning throw had gone precisely 1 inch farther.

“I knew he had a big one in him and then I saw that one,” Lienau said. “I was really nervous about it.”

Not for long. Moments later the distance was announced and Lienau made a worry-free throw as the crowd — including Busch — clapped in support.

“I knew it was going to take more than 55 to win it this year,” Lienau said. “Just by a couple extra practice throws it seems like, 1 inch or whatever it was — close. Not for the faint of heart."

Other area 2A boys’ top-eight finishers:

Oelwein’s Brennan Sauser ran a personal-best 9:49.27 in the 3,200 to surge to a third-place finish. Des Moines Christian finished one-two in the race (Carson Houg and Aaron Fynaardt).
Cascade’s Cole Miller ran the 400 in a personal-best time of 49.21 seconds to earn a third-place finish.
Jay Gatto of Anamosa jumped 22 feet, 3 inches to notch a fourth-place finish in the long jump. Each of the top-eight finishers recorded personal records.
Nolan Evans of Jesup and Aidan O’Neil of Iowa City Regina finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 3,200.
Monticello finished sixth in the 3,200-meter relay.

Thursday’s results: Class 2A boys

Top 10 teams (through 5 events): 1. Des Moines Christian 18, 2. Grundy Center 16, 3. Clarinda 13, 4. Jesup 12, T-5. Tipton 10, T-5. Hinton 10, T-5. Spirit Lake 10, 8. Underwood 9, T-9. South Hamilton 8, T-9. Pella Christian 8, T-9. Roland-Story 8

Long jump: 1. Beau DeRocher (Hinton) 22-04.75; 2. Isaac Jones (Clarinda) 22-04.75; 3. Carter Bultman (West Sioux) 22-04.25; 4. Jay Gatto (Anamosa) 22-03.

3,200: 1. Carson Houg (Des Moines Christian) 9:36.90; 2. Aaron Fynaardt (Des Moines Christian) 9:41.96; 3. Brennan Sauser (Oelwein) 9:49.27); 7. Nolan Evans (Jesup) 10:04.22; 8. Aidan O’Neil (Iowa City Regina) 10:08.25.

3,200 relay: 1. Tipton (Nichols, Cl. Bohlmann, Schmidt, Co. Bohlmann) 8:08.83; 2. Grundy Center 8:14.39: 3. Mediapolis 8:14.98; 6. Monticello 8:23.72.

Shot put: 1. Carson Lienau (Jesup) 58-09.50; 2. Austin Busch (South Hamilton) 58-08.05; 3. Spencer Kessel (Louisa-Muscatine) 55-10.25.

400: 1. Qai Hussey (Spirit Lake) 47.83; 2. Levi Schelhaas (Pella Christian) 48.94; 3. Cole Miller (Cascade) 49.21.