BROOKLYN – North Mahaska had four individuals automatically qualify for the state high school track meet, which will compete next week at Drake Stadium. Punching their tickets to the state meet were junior Gage Vande Voort in the discus, sophomore Sydney Andersen in the shot put, senior Hanna Wernli in the 100-meter hurdles and sophomore Brayden Veiseth in the 1,600 meters.
Late Friday morning North Mahaska found out that Andy Knockel qualified in the 200 meters and NM’s 3,200-meter and distance medley relays also qualified. The district champions and the 14 best times or distances make up the field of 24 competitors in each event.
Andersen got the hit parade going early when she hurled the shot 35-feet, 6.75 inches. Her effort is the 19th best in the field of 24. She will begin her quest for a top eight spot on Thursday, May 18 at 9 a.m.
The Gentle Giant Vande Voort was the next Warhawk to punch a ticket to state. He took the top spot with a. throw of 126-05. As a district champion he earned the automatic spot, which is the 24th best. He will compete on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m.
“I really don’t know what to say,” said Vande Voort. “I’m just happy and excited.”
Wernli smiled her way to a title besting the field in 16.87 seconds. Her 100 hurdle effort was the 20th best in the field. She will take to the Drake Blue Oval on Friday morning at 10:20 a.m. in her preliminary. If she makes the top eight, she races on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. in the finals.
“I really didn’t think I could do it,” said Wernli. “The girls are so fast, but I kept focused and was excited when I finished.”
Veiseth was the final auto qualifier running his 1,600 meters in a misty rain. He was running tight with two other runners before taking the lead with two and a half laps left, then ran to the tape in 4:41.91. His mark puts him in the lower half of the field in 14th. Veiseth will run a finals event at 2:15 p.m. Saturday.
Before noon Friday the Warhawks found out the 3,200-meter relay with Lane Harmon, Nate Sampson, Ben Yang and Veiseth earned a spot at state. The quartet covered the distance in 8:31.81 to take second. The team from BCLUW won the event in 8:21.72 and has the top time in the field of 24. NM’s time is 12th overall. They will compete in a finals event on Thursday at 12:10 p.m.
Harmon and Knockel will join Lucas Nunnikhoven and Kaleb Stout for a run in the distance medley. They ran third behind BCLUW and Lisbon at districts in3:48.63. They enter the state meet with the 24th best time and will run in the finals at 9 a.m. Friday.
