The Greene County Rams took part in the Carroll Coed Relays on Monday night at Carroll Athletic Field. Derek Merk’s girls placed third among 10 teams and Chad Morton’s boys were fifth, also in a field of 10. The host Tigers won the girls’ team title and Kuemper Catholic claimed the boys’ team title. Greene County’s girls and boys each won two events and all the wins were in relays.
One of the highlights for the girls was a winning time of 1:48.99 in the 4 x 200 meter relay with Olivia Shannon, Kamryn Sanders, Natalie Heupel, and Katrina Heupel. The time was not only a season best, but according the statistical website Bound Iowa, it ranks in the top 25 statewide and is second among Class 2A programs, as well as setting a new meet record. The 1:48.99 is the second fastest time a Rams girls’ team has clocked since becoming Greene County more than a decade ago. The same four girls won the 4 x 100 in 51.60 seconds, a season best, and also a meet record. The time should move them up in the standings for Drake Relays qualification. Drake takes 96 4 x 100’s and the Rams are sitting in the top 40 with Monday night’s time.
Sanders and the Heupel twins were joined by Bella Schroeder in the sprint medley relay where they placed second in 1:56.55. Both Heupel’s, Kaycee Pittman, and Shannon were second in the 4 x 400 in 4:15.42, another top 30 time in Iowa, and top three in 2A. Also, Shannon was second in the long jump at 16 feet, one inch.
Greene County won the distance medley relay for boys in 3:49.20 with Trey Schilling, Richard Daugherty, Jesse Miller ,and Drew Wolterman. The freshman Wolterman ran the 800 meter anchor leg in under 2:09 with reverse splits for the two laps. His opening 400 meters was approximately 67 seconds and his final lap was just over 61 seconds. Schilling, Daugherty, Camden Strennen, and Miller won the 4 x 100 in 45.60 seconds, overcoming a rough baton exchange between runners two and three. Miller brought the Rams from behind for the victory.
The girls go to LeGrand Thursday for the East Marshall Mustang Relays while the boys travel to Des Moines on Thursday for the Saydel Invite.