GIRLS’ TRACK: FOUR’S A CROWD

Greene County Rams punch their state tickets at Denison state qualifier

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor 

sports@beeherald.com

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Led by Olivia Hansen and Megan Durbin, the Greene County girls’ track and field team is poised to do some damage at next week’s state meet in Des Moines.

The Rams qualified in four events at last night’s Denison-Schleswig state qualifying meet, as they punched their tickets in the 200-meter dash, the long jump, the sprint medley relay and the high jump. 

Greene County’s Janelle Brophy led things off in the field events, capturing a gold medal in the long jump, leaping to a winning length of 15-08. The sophomore was nearly a full six inches in front of her nearest competitor as Harlan’s Molly Gubbels jumped 15-02. 

Hansen, who is an experienced state veteran, finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.2 to advance to state, just a tad behind Carroll’s Emma Perkins who captured gold with a time of 26.84. 

Hansen was also the anchor leg of the state-qualifying girls’ sprint medley relay that included Megan and Melanie Doran and Megan Durbin. The quartet ran a season-best 1:53.4 to finish second overall, behind Denison-Schleswig, who was victorious with a time of 1:51.22. 

In an unexpected outcome, Durbin nearly missed out on a chance to defend her 3A state title Thursday, finishing third by clearing 5-05. Denison-Schleswig’s Sunday Faya won the event clearing 5-06 while Sergeant Bluff-Luton’s Madison Harms finished second.

Durbin’s 5-05 was good enough to earn her an at-large bid. The eight best remaining performances among the state-qualifying place-winners earn a spot at next week’s state meet. 

Meet host Denison-Schleswig captured the team title with 176 points while Glenwood (126 points) edged out Harlan (123) for second place. Carroll (96 points) outlasted Greene County (70 points) to finish fourth in the eight team field. 

“The goal was, we felt comfortable on two events making it in for sure, shooting for seven qualifying events. Number eight was a long shot,” Greene County head coach Kelly Simpson said. “So, four qualifying events, close calls on two others, six PRs and three season bests add up to a pretty good night.”  

The 2017 state meet is set for May 18-20 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. The 3A 200-meter dash prelims are set for 4:20 p.m. Thursday, May 18 while the girls’ high jump finals will commence at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The girls’ long jump is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday with the sprint medley relay final wrapping things up at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 20. 

A full breakdown of state qualifiers along with lane assignments and seedings should be released over the weekend. 

Look for a more detailed recap along with state previews in next Thursday’s print edition of the Jefferson Herald sports.

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