Greene County High School senior Jackson Morton has the third fastest qualifying time entering the Class 2A 110 meter high hurdles finals this afternoon at the Coed State Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Morton was second in his qualifying heat on Friday in 14.80 seconds, the second fastest time he’s ever recorded. Morton also anchored the Rams to the today’s final in the shuttle hurdle relay during Thursday’s prelim, Fortunes were not on Morton’s side in the 400 meter hurdles final yesterday as he hit the fifth hurdle hard, but kept his footing, then later hit another and fell onto the track. He did get up and finish the race in 1:02.43 and placed 23rd. He wasn’t alone in that regard as the race favorite from Treynor took two tumbles over hurdles and finished 24th.

Nate Black tied for 19th place in the high jump on Friday. Black cleared the opening height of 5′ 10″, then missed all three attempts at 6′ 0″.

The Greene County girls were 14th in the 4 x 200 meter relay in 1:49.70 with Olivia Shannon, Katrina Heupel, Natalie Heupel, and Bella Schroeder. That same quartet ran the 4 x 100 meter relay prelims in :52.32 and they finished 22nd.

There are a total of three events in finals for the Rams this afternoon. In addition to Morton in the high hurdles, the boys’ shuttle hurdle relay has Landyn Venteicher, Bryce Stalder, Nate Black, and Morton, and Shannon is in the girls’ 200 meter dash.

All three Raccoon Valley Radio stations will continue reports tomorrow from Drake Stadium.