Washington ends season fourth at state

DES MOINES — It’s been quite the run for the Washington boys track team this season.

A spring season of meets and competitions all with one goal in mind, the state championships.

While the Demons didn’t take home the state title, a fourth-place finish for the Demons is a fantastic way to end it.

Washington totaled 44 points for the fourth spot. Dallas Center-Grimes (73) was crowed state champions, followed by Pella (71.5) and Newton (50).

It was an eventful weekend for the Demons.

Junior Elijah Morris ran a personal record time of 22.84 in the 200-meter dash, but missed the final with a ninth-place finish.

Boy did he top that.

Morris bounced back in the 400-meter. With a chip on his shoulder, he ran a new personal best of 48.96 to win the even title. That makes him a back-to-back Class 3A 400-meter champion.

“It’s awesome, Morris said. ”I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m blessed to be a part of the Demons. I’m blessed to have the teammates I have. It’s amazing to do this for more than myself but the team.“

Teammate Alec Ulin also placed 23rd in the event.

Brayden Hartman got himself a personal record in the discus.

The senior Demon tossed the disc an outstanding 156 feet for the runner-up spot in the event.

“I could feel a really good turn in my legs, and I knew I had a lot of power going in to it,” Hartman said. “It started going out of the sector a little bit and it curved back in, so we got a little lucky there.”

Kole Williams placed 18th in the discus as well.

Hartman tallied a new best in the shot put, with a throw of 51 feet, 5.50 inches, earning him the eight spot in the event.

The boys distance medley finished fourth at the Drake Relays.

They came in as one of the favorites in the event.

The foursome of Ethan Patterson, Jacob Miller, Morris, and Lance Sobaski were runners up, 3:30.72, falling to state record breaker Dallas-Center Grimes.

“We put a lot of work into this, so we kind of expected it,” Patterson said. “But it always feels good to end it like this. I just like cheering on my teammates.”

In the spring medley, Patterson, Austin Rebling, Jacob Miller and Morris were third-place finishers.

Sobaski had a great ending to a fantastic career on the track.

He finished fourth in the 3200-meter and sixth in both the 800 and 1600.

Sobaski said he’s wants to leave a legacy for Demons to come. He wants to see his own accolades get outdone.

“I just can't explain it,” Sobaski said. “I'm just thankful to be here, and it means the world to have a guy like this with me. It's just perfect to pass the baton to another teammate, and see what he can tear up the next two years. I want to see my records fall. That would make me the happiest person alive.”

Teammate Micah Rees, who followed Sobaski with 18th in the 3200 and 24th in the 1600, said Sobaski has been a great mentor to him.

“I've had him here for two years, and I'm like the most blessed guy out here,” Rees said. “I didn't get a good place, but I had fun, and I wouldn't have asked for anyone else to be here on this track with me.”

Jacob Miller finished 14th in the 100-meter dash and 19th in the 200. He ran a personal best in both, 11.40 and 23.26.

Quinn Wubbena was a 14th place-finisher in the 400 hurdles, 57.58.

In high jump, Kasen Bailey placed 18th with a jump of 5 feet, 10 inches.

The boys shuttle hurdle of Tayven Stuart, Austin Rebling, Mason Morgan and James Strabala placed 18th.

Logan McDole, Ulin, Cameron Vongpanya and Evan Miller placed 23rd in the 4x400.