Okoboji boys advance seven events to state

The Okoboji boys' track and field team turned in a strong overall performance at the Class 2A district meet Friday, May 15 in Cherokee -- advancing seven events to state against a loaded 12-team field that included perennial power Unity Christian and 2009 Lakes Conference champion Western Christian.

"I'd have to say that top to bottom this district had to be considered one of the best, if not the best (in the state)," said Okoboji head coach Brad Peter. "We knew going in that we would have a tough chance getting a few events through like the 100-meter dash. Kevin James and Max Burgeson both ran well, but didn't quite get through against a very competitive group of sprinters. All in all, we were still able to get seven events through and still had a good day."

The Pioneers placed third with 75.5 points. Western Christian raced to the district title with 129.5. Unity Christian ended up as the meet runner-up with 124. Sheldon was fourth with 61 while Sioux Central and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn tied for fifth with 50 points.

Junior Milan Johnson and senior Ryan Wurtz each qualified in three different events while five runners placed second or higher in two events.

"Ryan and Milan have been two of our most consistent performers and they had no easy road at districts. The 110 high hurdles, mile and 800 were all really tough," Peter said. "They were focused from the moment they got off the bus, and all of the hard work they put in definitely paid off."

Johnson scored two race titles and one runner-up finish, including anchoring the Pioneers' 4x800-meter relay team to a school record time of 8:07.54. The trio of Tyler Peterson, Madison Delaney and Austin Millard teamed up with Johnson for the win. The previous school record was 8:08.92. Peterson, Delaney and Millard all ran 2:01 splits while Millard turned in a 2:03 half-mile clocking.

"We've been waiting for the 4x8 to pop a really fast one,"said Peter. "They've already had some great times this season. It was a combination of some great workouts and some excellent competition. That was a nice tone setter for the meet. The guys were excited and ready to go before the race. Now we're ready to keep that momentum going. They had a great race, but I know they can still go faster in Des Moines."

Johnson won the 800-meter run in 2:01.19 and ended up second in the mile in 4:43.07. Peterson also placed third in the 800 in 2:02.23.

Wurtz was the district runner-up in the 110 high hurdles in 14.93 seconds. He also joined James, Billy Burgduff and Burgeson for a second-place finish in the 4x100 in 44.83 and James, Burgeson and Delaney for a runner-up showing in the 1,600 medley in 3:43.93. IN addition, he anchored a shuttle hurdle team that was hampered by a clipped hurdle on the second leg to a sixth-place finish.

"We were confident that we had a good chance in the 4x1 and medley, but both of those races were close," Peter said. "We had some strong anchors and everybody ad good races in both relays. We were a little disappointed with the shuttle, but when guys are pushing it to their max, every now and then you're going to clip a hurdle. We're happy to get in two events. The guys have been working really hard and they deserve it."

The 2009 Iowa State Co-Ed Track & Field Championships get underway tomorrow morning starting with Class 1A and 4A schools at 9 a.m. The 2A and 3A teams hit the track at 2:40 p.m.

Peter is confident that his veteran-laden team can come away with some top performances in every single event they will be competing in.

"With the eight kids that we have competing, every one of them has some kind of Drake Relays or state meet experience, so it shouldn't be too intimidating for them," he said. "I think we can score points in every event we're taking down there. They should be focused and know what they need to do. I'm looking for some good performances out of our kids."

Class 2A District Meet (CENTERED AND BOLD)

Team scores -- 1. Western Christian 129.5; 2. Unity Christian 124; 3. Okoboji 75.5; 4. Sheldon 61; T-5. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 50; T-5. Sibley-Ocheyedan 50; 7. Sioux Central 48.5; 8. Cherokee 45; 9. Sioux Center 39.5; 10. East Sac County 39; 11. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 24; 12. Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto 16.

Shot put -- 12. Ray Zalabowski 41-5 1/4; 16. Brady Coleman 39-3 1/2.

Discus throw -- 10. Zach Jones 116-2 1/2.

Long jump -- 10. Alex Koepp 16-1 1/2.

High jump -- 7. Brian Dubois 5-8.

100 dash -- 7. Kevin James 11.21; 9. Max Burgeson 11.25.

200 dash -- 7. Alex Koepp 24.53.

400 dash -- 11. Ethan Millard 58.05; 17. Michael Peterson 1:01.12.

800 run -- 1. Milan Johnson 2:01.19; 3. Tyler Peterson 2:02.23.

1,600 run -- 2. Milan Johnson 4:43.07; 19. Cody Louscher 5:41.15.

3,200 run -- 12. David Brinkman 12:21.86; 13. Brody Linn 12:33.50.

110 high hurdles -- 2. Ryan Wurtz 14.93.

400 low hurdles -- 7. Zach Jones 1:00.09.

4x100 relay -- 2. Okoboji (Kevin James, Ryan Wurtz, Billy Burgduff, Max Burgeson) 44.83.

4x200 relay -- 6. Okoboji (Alex Koepp, Billy Burgduff, Austin Millard, Brian Dubois) 1:37.55.

4x400 relay -- 7. Okoboji (Austin Millard, Billy Burgduff, Brian Dubois, Madison Delaney) 3:44.04.

4x800 relay -- 1. Okoboji (Tyler Peterson, Madison Delaney, Austin Millard, Milan Johnson) 8:07.54 (School Record).

Distance medley -- 2. Okoboji (Kevin James, Max Burgeson, Ryan Wurtz, Madison Delaney) 3:43.93.

Shuttle hurdle -- 6. Okoboji (Brian Dubois, Alex Koepp, Zach Jones, Ryan Wurtz) 1:03.99.