High school team scores after Day 1 of the Iowa state track and field meet 2024

The first day of the 2024 Iowa high school state track and field meet has come and gone, which means some schools already separated themselves from the crowd.

Through opening day at Drake Stadium, five events have been scored, but anything can happen over the next two days, where another 14 events will be run, and the team points attached are up for grabs.

Entering Friday, Ankeny is far and away the leader — by 12 points — on the boys side in Class 4A. The Hawks' next-closest competitor is Dowling, with Johnston rounding out the central Iowa success in fifth. Johnston and Ankeny — and Valley — are in the top five for the girls' team race, but Pleasant Valley is the leader...and it could stay that way.

In the smaller classes, Pella is a contender in both the boys and girls team races, although the Mt. Vernon and Gilbert girls stand ahead of the Dutch before Friday’s competition. Mediapolis boys and Tipton girls hold a slight edge over their opponents in Class 2A. Wapsie Valley emerged as the top boys team in Class 1A, while the girls race is tighter, with AGWSR and St. Edmond tied for first.

Here is a breakdown of each team race entering Day 2.

Class 4A Boys: Ankeny and Dowling can feel confident in the team race…for now

Team scores after Day 1

1. Ankeny – 37
2. Dowling – 25
3. Davenport West, Cedar Falls (tie) – 18
4. Johnston – 14

Outlook: There is no doubt that Ankeny and Dowling are in a good spot – after racking 37 and 25 points, respectively – in the team race.

And both should continue to pile on some points. The Hawks overperformed on Thursday, setting them up for success down the road. Ankeny has a shot at top five in the 100, 200, 1,600, 4x400 and the distance medley. Dowling could break through the top five in the 800, 110 hurdles, 4x100, 4x200, distance medley, shot put and the sprint medley.

The two central Iowa teams have a serious shot at the team title.

That is if Cedar Falls doesn’t get in the way. The Tigers could collect points in the 800, 1,600 – times two – 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, distance medley, 4x110 shuttle hurdle, and sprint medley.

Long story short: Cedar Falls is going to be a very tough team to beat.

Class 4A Girls: It's a close race right now, but Pleasant Valley can stretch its score over the next couple of days

Team scores after Day 1

1. Pleasant Valley – 24
2. Johnston – 19
3. Valley – 18
4. Ankeny – 14
5. Dubuque Hempstead – 13

Outlook: Pleasant Valley is, simply, a tough team to beat. Ani Wedemeyer and Grace Boleyn could secure 18 points by finishing first and second in the 800. There’s also a chance for Jessie Clemons (400 hurdles), Elodie Stroup (long jump), and Mackenzie Fah and Reese Goodlet (shot put) to add some points.

What sets the Spartans apart is their ability to consistently finish in the top three in relay events. Pleasant Valley should score some major points in the 4x100, 4x400, 4x800 and distance medley.

As for the teams who could upset Pleasant Valley, look no further than Waukee Northwest and Dowling. It seems like the Wolves had a contender in almost every event, and they are more than well-represented in the relays. Dowling has a solid mix of individual and relay athletes who could make things interesting.

Class 3A Boys: Pella holds a narrow lead over Solon, but expect some movement in the coming days

Team scores after Day 1

1. Pella - 21
2. Solon – 20
3. Williamsburg – 17
4. Center Point Urbana – 15
5. Fairfield – 12

Outlook: Solon trails Pella after Day 1, but that could change over the next two days. The Spartans’ 4x400 relay squad of Rhett Mesch, Grant Knipper, Grant Bumsted and Michael Yeomans posted the top qualifying time. Caleb Bock is the leading man in the long jump, with a leap of 22 feet, 6.75 inches.

As for Saturday, look to Yeomans (800-meters) to add some more points. Solon could pick up some more points in the shuttle hurdle relay and the 1,600. The Spartans will need every point possible to contend with Pella.

ADM didn’t crack the top 24 teams on Day 1 but this is a group poised to jump up Saturday. The Tigers hold the top qualifying time in the 4x100, enter the 4x200 with the second-best time, and two sprint ringers in Aiden Flora and Brevin Doll.

And there are plenty of other teams that could make a run. We’re only through one day, after all.

Class 3A Girls: Mt. Vernon reigns, for now, but Gilbert and ADM ready to climb the leaderboard

Team scores after Day 1

1. Mt. Vernon – 20
2. Gilbert – 18
3. Pella – 16
4. ADM – 13
5. Charles City – 12

Outlook: Mt. Vernon will need some big performances from their remaining relay teams to stay on top. Especially with Gilbert and ADM poised to make leaps up the leaderboard.

Gilbert has athletes poised to place in the 800, 1,500 – two athletes, in this event – 400 hurdles, 4x200, 4x400 and the distance medley.

ADM could pick up some points in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles – two in this event, too – long jump, shuttle hurdle relay, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800.

Keep an eye on Clear Lake. The Lions sit in sixth place with 11 points, but they are set up well for success. Reese Brownlee should add a 400 hurdles title to her first-place finish in the open 400 on Thursday.

Class 2A Boys: Mediapolis will struggle to hold on to Day 1 lead with Spirit Lake and Treynor knocking on the door

Team scores after Day 1

1. Mediapolis – 18
2. Underwood – 16
3. South Hamilton – 14
4. Des Moines Christian – 11
5. Jesup, Pella Christian, Spirit Lake, Okoboji (tie) – 10

Outlook: Mediapolis should enjoy its time on the top because it might not stretch into Saturday. The Bulldogs jumped to the top after a first-place finish by Solomon Zaugg in the 3,200 and second place in the 4x800. But there are only a few more events in which Mediapolis could walk away with points.

Spirit Lake should jump from fifth to first at some point this weekend. Should Brandon Hughes (1,600), Cooper Winkel and Ethan Stecker (110 hurdles), and the 4x100, 4x800, distance medley, sprint medley and shuttle hurdle relay teams finish close to or better than where they qualified, Spirit Lake will be in a good place.

One team not in the top five to watch is Treynor. The Cardinals only ran one event – a preliminary – on Thursday, but they are among the top contenders in several events over the next two days.

Brodie Wallace should finish high in the 110 hurdles, as should Karson Elwood in the 400 hurdles. The Cardinals also have the top squad in the 4x100 and contenders in the 4x200, shuttle hurdle relay and sprint medley.

Class 2A Girls: Tipton takes over top spot, but the hard part will be hanging on

Team scores after Day 1

1. Tipton - 17
2. Van Meter – 15
3. Estherville-Lincoln Central, Albia (tie) – 14
4. Aplington-Parkersburg, Hinton, West Lyon, Pella Christian (tie) – 10

Outlook: Tipton is the team to beat, right now, and the Tigers should stay close to the top through the weekend. Noelle Steines picked up 10 points in the 3,000 meters, and Ella Hein and the 4x800 team added the remaining seven.

The Tigers aren’t done yet. Steines and teammate Alivia Edens could finish one-two in the 800, and Steines could even make a run for first in the 1,500. Expect more points to come in the 400 hurdles, 4x400, 4x800 and distance medley.

Lauren Travis picked up all of Spirit Lake’s eight points with the second-place finish in the shot put. But her team is one to watch.

Spirit Lake should add some points from the 200, 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles and discus – each with two athletes in those events – and the 4x100, 4x200 and sprint medley relays.

Class 1A Boys: Wapsie Valley separates itself from the crowd, but Lisbon could make a run for the team title

Team scores after Day 1

1. Wapsie Valley – 19
2. Woodbine – 17
3. Lisbon – 12
4. Akron-Westfield, Madrid, Grand View Christian, Mount Ayr, Sibley-Ocheyedan (tie) – 10

Outlook: Two of the top teams from Thursday should remain two of the top teams through the end of the weekend.

Wapsie Valley already has the most points in 1A, and there’s a chance to add even more. The Warriors could get points from the 800, 1,600 – especially if Aidan Shannon and Aidan Brady finish one-two in both the – 4x800 and the distance medley

Lisbon might sit in third right now, but there’s a good chance to advance. The Lions are well prepared to add points from the 800, 110 hurdles, 4x100 and 4x200.

Class 1A Girls: Panorama could win the team title on the back of Jaidyn Sellers’ individual performances

Team scores after Day 1

1. AGWSR, St. Edmond (tie) – 14
2. Pekin – 12
3. Wayne, St. Albert, Panorama, Saint Ansgar (tie) – 10

Outlook: This could end up being the closest team race across all four classes.

Jaidyn Sellers-led Panorama is a serious contender for first place. She already took first in the 400, and she’ll need wins in the 100, 200 and high jump – in all of which she’s the top qualifier – for her team to have a chance.

Fremont-Mills, with top-three qualifiers in three events, and Riverside, with top-five qualifiers in five events, are two more teams to watch.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.