Diaz highlights Columbus events

DES MOINES — There were some celebrations and misfortunes for the Columbus Wildcats at the Class 1A state meet Thursday through Saturday. Overall, it was a great weekend for Columbus, which qualified nine kids in seven events.

An outstanding highlight and the only points scored were from Michelle Diaz.

Diaz placed eighth in the shot put at 36 feet 8 3/4 inches, tying her personal best she set the week before at the state qualifying meet. She made it to the finals and was just a little more than an inch from seventh place.

“She just competed tremendously as she has all season,” Columbus coach Steve Riley said. “Mason Hodges ended the season in a great way.”

Hodges threw the discus a personal best 146-6 and placed ninth.

Isaac Acosta was 15th in the 1600 meters in 4 minutes, 49.85 seconds.

Triston Miller ran the 110 hurdles in 16.41 to place 18th. In the process, he beat two kids who had finished above him at districts.

Kaden Amigon, the only freshman to qualify for the 200 meters, finished 19th in 23.60. That was five spots better than his seed.

The 4x100 relay team of Jeff Hoback, Gerardo Orozco, Will Schwab and Amigon dropped the baton in the preliminary and didn't finish.

In the 3,200 meters, Freddy Vergara lost a shoe in the first 200 meters after getting stepped on by another runner, but completed the race. He ran 3,000 meters with one shoe and placed 20th in 10:38.50.

“It was a gutsy performance,” Riley said. “We are looking forward to next season and building on our success.”