Crawford Nearly Grabs Title, Two Records Broken for ACGC Track and Field on Day One

Posted By: Ben Butler
May 18, 2018 @ 6:18 am
Today's Local Sports

Kate Crawford takes the lead early in the girls 2A 3000 meter run.

The sun was shining brightly on the ACGC long distance runners for opening day at the Iowa State High School Track and Field Meet in Des Moines. Sophomore Kate Crawford and junior Noah Nelsen both broke their records and cracked the top four in the Class 2A 3200 and 3000 meter runs respectively.

Crawford, along with the Hostetler sisters from Mid Prairie (Wellman) and Panorama’s Ella Waddle, began the run in the front pack. She gradually moved to the front and held the lead for the majority of the race. However the younger Hostetler, Marie, passed Crawford in the final 30 meters to take the title for the Golden Hawks.

Her second place finish is her best at Drake Stadium, and it also comes with a new school record at 10:26.89. Crawford set the previous record a year ago today at the state meet with a time of 10:30.71. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio she’s pleased with the performance, but is looking to stay focused on her remaining events. “I’m feeling pretty good. It was a hot day so I just need to stay hydrated and get mentally prepared and physically prepared for my next three races of the weekend.”

Noah Nelsen runs alone in the boys 2A 3200 meter run.

Nelsen began his run in the top dozen, and worked his way to the front five for the majority of the race. In the final 800 meters, the winning trio pulled away from the junior, leaving him to finish in 4th with a new school record of 9:57.37.

He hopes his elevated performance will help advance the program at ACGC. “Growing up in a small town, Guthrie Center, not a lot of people know where it’s at, but you always hear about the Des Moines schools. I’m just trying to show those Des Moines schools that these small 1A and 2A teams have a lot to prove and we’re going to work harder than they are and just try our best to show them that we’re not afraid to compete with anybody.

Caden Wardyn prepares for his jump in the boys 2A long jump.

The Chargers begin day two at the blue oval with the girls distance medley relay, coming in with the second fastest time in Class 2A. Other top ten finishers from day one include: Caden Wardyn-long jump (8th), Emma Swanson-3000 (8th), and Mady McDermott-shot put (10th). Tune in to the Raccoon Valley Radio Network all weekend for updates from Des Moines.