A Drake Relays flag wasn’t what Kadence Huck really wanted.
The former Nashua-Plainfield prep star ran the leadoff leg on Oklahoma State’s Women’s 4×800 University relay that had its sights set on setting the NCAA all-time record. The Cowgirls finished eight laps around the Blue Oval in 8 minutes, 16.65 seconds, coming up just shy of the 8:16.12 mark established last year by an Arkansas squad that included former Carlisle great Ainsley Erzen.
The Cowgirls’ disappointment was evident in the athletes mix zone below Drake Stadium.
“That (NCAA record) was the goal,” Huck, a true freshman, said as he held her white Drake Relays winner’s flag. “The girls are great and I love being in a program where I’m not the best and they push me every day, but they’re also not happy for me running a 2:07 when they all run 2:03s.”
Huck, Elyse Wilmes, Kaylie Politza and anchor Billah Jepkirui still set a Relays record after dropping runner-up Iowa State by 10.17 seconds.
Huck is a five-time Iowa state champion who also competed three times as a prep at the Relays. Huck said Director of Track and Field Dave Smith wanted her to lead the Cowgirls to the NCAA record by running the anchor leg.
“I’ve only ever anchored on this track,” Huck said. “It’s cool to be in an environment that’s familiar to me. But earlier today, I told him I think Billah’s got this covered better than I could.”
Huck will be one of the Cowgirls’ leaders in coming years. Politza and Jepkirui are both seniors while Wilmes is also a freshman.
Women’s Sprint Medley College Relay
Keelee Leitzen is healthy and happy now.
The Loras College redshirt freshman finished off the Duhawks’ winning effort in the Women’s Sprint Medley College relay. The former Dubuque Hempstead prep trailed anchors from Minnesota State and Iowa Central heading into her 800 leg. Leitzen surged past both in the opening 100 meters while leading the Duhawks to the win in 4:01.33.
“The 800 is my favorite event,” Leitzen said. “These girls got the baton around for me. I just got it and said, ‘It’s time to go.’ “
The other relay members were Katie Flynn and Rosie Flynn, who are sisters, and Layla Hughes.
Leitzen’s first college season was at Iowa State and it didn’t go well. She suffered bilateral stress fractures in both her tibias and missed the entire cross country and track and field seasons. She soon decided to return to her hometown to run for Loras, which had recruited her.
“I really wasn’t happy with my racing and what I was doing there,” Leitzen said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I am going to get good coaching, have fun and be able to race and enjoy the sport again. Transferring here was probably one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever had.”
Now, Leitzen owns the top time in NCAA Division III after running 2:07.88 for the 800 at the highly competitive Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, last weekend.
“We’re just going to go after it (in the 800) at nationals and whatever happens, happens,” Leitzen said.
Men’s 10,000 Invite
Jaden Merrick tangled with the big boys in college and showed he’s more than ready for the next step.
The Cedar Falls High senior dominated the competition in the final event April 24. Merrick ran 29:36.67 to post the 10th-fastest 10,000 time by a U.S. high school athlete.
“I’m super happy,” Merrick said. “I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to run a 10K. I’ve been itching for a couple years now. Glad I finally got a chance to. It was a lot of fun.”
Cody Baele, a Des Moines man who runs for the local Fitness Sports Distance Project, was second in 29:51.50.
Merrick, an Iowa State commit, bypassed his senior track and field season with the Tigers to compete in more high-profile meets in the U.S. During the indoor season, Merrick set the No. 10 all-time mark for preps at 5,000 meters while running 14:11.05 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston.
Merrick is showing the gamble is paying off as his time with the Cyclones, a national power in cross country, approaches.
“I still got the (Relays) flag,” Merrick said. “The mile is a little short for me now. I’m 5K and 10K for the future.”
Men’s 4×800 University
A year ago, Carson Lane was watching from the sidelines as his Iowa Hawkeyes teammates were busy winning this event.
On Friday, the former Johnston prep ran the opening leg on an Iowa team that ran 7:20.36 to top Iowa State by 2.38 seconds.
“It’s an awesome experience to come back in college and finally win a flag,” Lane, a sophomore, said. “It’s really cool. (Last year) I was still building on my 800 ability. Dropping my mile time by 7 seconds this year gave me a lot of confidence in the 8 (800) coming down. It feels like a breakthrough.”
The Iowa relay included junior Caleb Levy, senior Ryan Schreiner and senior Terrick Johnson, who started his career at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Schreiner and Terrick Johnson ran on the unit a year ago that ran 7:21.88.
Men’s 4×200 University/College
Carter Toews led South Dakota State to a Relays title and the end of a 55-year-old program record.
The former Spirit Lake prep ran the third leg on the Jackrabbits’ relay that claimed the Relays white flag in 1:24.18. The previous mark was 1:26.10 set in 1971.
“It’s good to be back,” Toews, a junior said. “It’s kind of like high school. I didn’t really get to show my skills and potential until my senior year. And then, freshman (year) and last year, a little slow. Now finally, outdoor (season) I feel like I am finding my form and just having fun with it.”
The South Dakota State unit that also included Parker Peterson, Landen Matkins and Lucas Flemmer won by .64 of a second over Nebraska.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa native Kadence Huck helps Oklahoma State 4×800 to Drake Relays record
Reporting by Lance Bergeson, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
