Friesen, Sieperda both move into top 20 in Iowa history; Ellingson produces memorable discus victory for Hudson

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Eight weeks ago, Crestwood senior Ellie Friesen was helping the Cadets make history in Des Moines by capping a 26-0 season with the school’s first Iowa 3A girls basketball state championship.

Her race plan Thursday in the girls 3,000 meters at the 109th Drake Relays was executed in similarly flawless fashion.

Friesen surged in the final 600 meters to move ahead of defending champion Anna Hostetler of Mid-Prairie and never relinquished control, clocking a personal-best 9 minutes, 50.44 seconds at Jim Duncan Track to elevate to No. 13 in Iowa state history.

Programming Note: You can watch the live Webcast here of the meet Friday and Saturday. The USATF.TV broadcast and on-demand videos will only be available for USATF.TV +PLUS subscribers. Subscribe here.

“It’s an amazing feeling. This has been the goal every time I come down here and it hasn’t happened, but God finally allowed my legs and my mind to have the strength they needed to win a Drake Relays title,” said Friesen, who finished fourth last year in 10:08.66.

“This kind of feels like a home track for me here at Drake. I knew who my competition was and I knew exactly who I needed to beat in order to win.”

Anna Hostetler, a senior who set the state 4A record last year by running 9:47.52, took second in 9:52.49. Sophomore Marie Hostetler, who ran 9:52.50 at the state final last season, struggled in the final 800 and took finished in 10:14.90.

Central Lyon senior Gable Sieperda improved on his personal best by four seconds to prevail in the boys 3,200 in 9:11.17, No. 19 in Iowa prep history. Ankeny Centennial senior Camden Cox took second in 9:21.77.

“My focusing coming in was just staying relaxed and when everyone else is feeling like crap and I’m feeling like crap, I just had to dig a little deeper,” said Sieperda, who placed fourth at last year’s meet, before winning the 1A state title in 9:15.30.

“I’ve been thinking about this every night before I go to bed. I’ve visualized this moment and being in this moment. It’s funny how much you remind yourself you’re going to do it and how much work you’re going to put in to do it, so it’s funny how things happen this way.”

Senior Dawson Ellingson captured the first Drake Relays title for Hudson, throwing the discus 186-9 (56.92m) on his second attempt to upstage state leader Nick Phelps of Kingsley-Pierson/Woodbury Central, who fouled his last two rounds after a fourth-round effort of 184-2 (56.13).

Greene County senior Megan Durbin cleared 5-7 (1.70m) to win her second high jump title in three years, following a 5-8 clearance (1.73m) in 2016.

Tipton junior Jamie Kofron won the girls shot put in the final round with a mark of 45-5.50 (13.81m), surpassing defending champion Kat Moody of Waukee, who took the lead in the third round with a 45-0.75 (13.73m) effort.

Marion senior Blair Brooks prevailed in the boys long jump with a fifth-round leap of 22-8.25 (6.91m).