A-P state track notebook: Another 2nd for girls distance medley

DES MOINES – Ivy Nolte was anticipating Friday afternoon.

That's when the Aplington-Parkersburg senior, who also competed in the 100 and 200-meter prelims on Thursday and will yet compete in Saturday's sprint medley, would make her run at a state title as part of the distance medley relay team along with Laikyn Miller, Maci Freund and Sophia Jungling.

Ultimately, the Falcons were unable to overcome their final hurdle standing between A-P and a DMR title, finishing second in the event for the second-consecutive season during Friday's afternoon session in Drake Stadium.

Cascade spoiled A-P's title chances last season, but this time it was the Golden Hawks of Mid-Prairie, led by Anna Hostetler's anchor leg. Less than a second separated Mid-Prairie (4:10.96) from A-P (4:11.59), but the Falcons were nonetheless in good spirits after the run.

"We knew that whatever we did, everyone would have to go their hardest," Nolte said, "and that's what we did today."

In a pack that included North Cedar and Cascade, Hostetler made her move with about 300 meters to go, which is when Jungling, a sophomore known for her clutch kicks in events like these, tried to latch on for the ride.

"I just tried to maintain and keep with her as long as I could," Jungling said. "I had to gut it out in the end. ... It's really special to go back-to-back state runner-ups. We were hoping to compete for the title."

This year's runner-up finish was extra special for Laikyn Miller, who earned her first state medal in her senior season.

"I was really looking forward to a medal," said Miller, who ran the opening leg of the race. "I think this was pretty good today."

...

The Aplington-Parkersburg boys completed their state appearances this season on Friday.

The distance medley team of Thomas Dominy, Grady Brungard, Morgan Knock and Mason Tyler finished just out of medal contention with a 3:41.03, less than a half-second behind the eighth place team from Underwood.

A-P senior Christian Olson finished 13th in the 2A high jump out of a large tie between jumpers that cleared 6 feet, 1 inch. (Note: This article has been updated to change a typo--Olson competed in the high jump, not the long jump. I apologize for the error. This information will be correct in Wednesday's print edition of the Eclipse. -- Jake Ryder, Eclipse sports editor) 

Saturday's events

The A-P girls sprint medley relay will try to defend its Class 2A title on Saturday morning. ... Sophia Jungling and Megan Johnson are scheduled to run in separate sections of the 800 meter run. ... Finally, Jungling will run her fourth event, the 1,500 final, on Saturday afternoon.