Track has big expectations for State after Drake Relays

Cedar Falls track posted impressive numbers at the Drake Relays over the weekend, giving a look into the upcoming weeks.

The men’s 4×400 team finished third in the state, running a 3:21.92 in the finals, finishing just 4/10 of a second behind Cedar Rapids Prairie. The team shaved nearly four seconds off its time from its qualifying race, which the team posted a 3:25.60.

The team was made up senior Nick deBuhr, senior Sam Jamison, junior Sam Ahrenholz and junior Zach Shippy. “It meant a lot to me because it was my first time in the finals in three years. We wanted to see how we matched up with all the teams in the state,” deBuhr said. “I feel like we definitely sent a message at Drake.”

In the women’s part of the meet, senior Allison Gregg finished 5th in the 1,500 meters. Gregg, an Alabama commit, ran a 4:41.42, six seconds behind Linn-Mar’s Stephanie Jenks who brought home first place.

The 4×100 also brought home fifth place, running a finals time of 49.47. The team consisted of senior Daianera Whitaker, junior Symone Robinson, senior Katelyn Haan and freshman Alicia Harrington anchored the squad.

Cedar Falls alum James Harrington also made his return to the blue track. Harrington, a freshman at the University of Alabama, started with the baton in the sprint medley relay in which the Crimson Tide would finish fifth. Harrington also ran in the 4×200 relay, but the Tide would not finish.

State is right around the corner for the track teams, with the first events taking place on Thursday, May, 16 on the blue track at Drake.

“We’re starting to back off on our workouts and keep our legs fresh. Our game plan is to have fresh legs going into Districts and State so we can perform our best,” deBuhr said.