Greene County had five events, three for girls and two for boys, automatically qualify for the Coed State High School Track & Field Meet next week in Des Moines. Girls’ head coach Derek Merk and boys’ head coach Chad Morton are hoping to add to the list of State qualifiers when the At-Large list is released. The Rams were in a Class 2A Coed State Qualifying Meet at Manson hosted by Manson- Northwest Webster on Thursday. All first and second place finishers in each event are State qualifiers, as are the eight best performances in each event statewide that did not place first or second.

Girls’ events for the Rams qualifying for the May 16-17-18 State Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines are three second place events. Sophomore Kaycee Pittman was second in the 800 meter run in a personal best time of 2:25.32. Pittman anchored the second place distance medley relay in a season best time of 4:24.60, which also included sophomore Addison Gannon, senior Kaylee Stalder, and sophomore Savanah Lansman. Junior Emma Ewalt placed second in the discus throw with a personal best toss of 114′ 8″.

The two automatic boys’ State qualifying events were both champions. Junior Isaac Carman won the discus throw at 141′ 11″, and the distance medley relay won in a season best time of 3:37.25. Senior Trey Schilling led off, followed by sophomore Broc Stream, sophomore Nick Madsen, and sophomore Drew Wolterman brought the Rams from behind with an 800 meter anchor leg split of two minutes.

Paton-Churdan was in a 1A State Qualifying meet at Earlham. There are 10 1A meets with the event winner being the only automatic State qualifier. The other 14 spots per event go to the 14 best performances that did not place first. The Rockets were led by freshman Trevon Keely’s second place finish in the high jump at 6′ 4″.

If all the State Qualifying Meets were completed Thursday night, then the complete list of qualifiers should be released today.