What does it take to score at state?

by Coach Vanderah @MrVDowling | May 16, 2023

One common question that pops up often this time of year is "what do I/we need to do to score at state?" This question often comes from a place of nervousness, a place of anxiety, a place of fearing the possibility of letting down the team. At the end of the day it's about competing with those around us to be in that top 8. But there is some curiosity mixed in there - and when looking at trends the numbers can help make the difficult or impossible seem much more attainable. Today I am here to answer the question "what does it take to score at state" because I see enough value in it to help the psyche of the athlete. 

These are the average for an 8th place finish over the years. There are two averages for each event - the average since 2007 (only went back that far since 2005-2006 are missing on the IGHSAU archive), and the last 5 years average. I have also noted 8th place in prelims and finals when applicable.

Now with the historical perspective, let's take a look at the top 8 in the state right now in Bound. The athletes that did not qualify for the state meet were skipped/ignored when looking at the top 8. I also noted the Maroons that fall within the top 8

Top 8 in the State

• 100 meter: 12.51 - Mylee Stiefel (Burlington) and Giada Grimes (Johnston)

  • Olivia Kramer tied 3rd (12.30)

• 200 meter: 25.50 - Lauren McCoy (Dowling Catholic)

  • Olivia Kramer 5th (25.32)

• 400 meter: 58.18 - Ani Wedemeyer (Iowa City High)

  • Lauren McCoy 5th (57.73)

• 800 meter: 2:18.24 - Anna Sheriff (Waukee Northwest)

• 1500 meter: 4:44.30 - Rondi Quass (Ankeny Centennial)

• 3000 meter: 10:26.91 - Nina Peterson (Iowa City High)

• 100 hurdle: 15.29 - Ruby Leman (Dowling Catholic)

  • Alex Gaskell 7th (15.27)

• 400 hurdle: 1:06.34 - Abby LaSale (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln)

  • Reese Ervin 5th (1:06.09)

• High jump: 5'3 (tied 7th) - Ellie Muller (Dowling Catholic) and Katy Hand (Linn-Mar)

  • Alex Gaskell 5th (5'4)

• Long jump: 17'8 1/2 - Abby Mecklenburg (Linn-Mar)

  • Ruby Leman 1st (18'10)

• Shot put: 39'10 - Great Brus (Davenport North)

• Discus: 120'3 - Abbie Kluver (Indianola)

  • Audrey Ott 4th (126'10)

• 4x100 relay: 49.55 - Waukee

  • Dowling Catholic 1st (48.23)

• 4x200 relay: 1:44.69 - Ankeny Centennial

  • Dowling Catholic 3rd (1:42.25)

• 4x400 relay: 3:59.77 - Johnston

• 4x800 relay: 9:35.03 - Des Moines Roosevelt

• Sprint medley: 1:49.66 - Southeast Polk

  • Dowling Catholic 4th (1:47.53)

• Distance medley: 4:18.81 - Iowa City Liberty

• Shuttle hurdle: 1:06.92 - Iowa City West

  • Dowling Catholic 1st (1:02.60)

Bonus! Here are the best 8th place finishes for each event if you have some curiosity left in the tank.

The Best 8th Place Marks

• 100 meter: 12.39 prelims (2017), 12.48 finals (2018)

• 200 meter: 25.70 prelims (2009), 25.75 (2018)

• 400 meter: 58.58 (2019)

• 800 meter: 2:15.74 (2016, Kelsey Schweizer, Dowling Catholic)

• 1500 meter: 4:43.16 (2022)

• 3000 meter: 10:13.38 (2014)

• 100 hurdle: 15.18 prelims (2019), 15.15 finals (2018)

• 400 hurdle: 1:05.96 (2015)

• High jump: 5'3 (2011)

• Long jump: 17'2 3/4 (2012)

• Shot put: 39'11 1/2 (2007)

• Discus: 123'3 (2018)

• 4x100 relay: 48.77 prelims (2018), 49.21 (2017)

• 4x200 relay: 1:43.63 (2019)

• 4x400 relay: 3:59.32 prelims (2019), 4:01.34 (2019)

• 4x800 relay: 9:33.83 (2012)

• Sprint medley: 1:48.72 (2016)

• Distance medley: 4:11.16 (2013)

• Shuttle hurdle: 1:06.41 prelims (2011), 1:06.29 finals (2007)

• Team points: 44 points (2022, Dowling Catholic)