Greene County High School senior Jackson Morton placed fourth in the 110 meter high hurdles at the Class 2A portion of the 2021 Coed State Championships in Des Moines. After Monday’s race at the Carroll Coed Relays, Morton has the fourth best time in the event among Iowa high school boys, regardless of class size, according to statistical website Varsity Bound. He won the event in Carroll at 14.82 seconds, under the Blue Standard automatic qualifying time of 14.90 seconds.

The Rams’ first two outdoor meets were held under cool and windy conditions, but Monday was close to perfect for the second week of April with sunshine, light winds, and temperatures well into the 60’s at the start. Morton took advantage by running a personal best and automatically qualifying for the Drake Relays later this month.

Chad Morton, Jackson’s Dad, is the head coach of the Rams. He told Raccoon Valley Radio prior to the Carroll meet he felt Jackson would run under 15 seconds with better conditions and competition. He was right on both counts. Now, both Morton’s hope to have other events qualify for the 2022 Drake Relays. April 21 is the final day for submitting performances to qualify.