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Memorable finale

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kiersten Fisher of Southeast valley runs during girls Class 2A 100 Meter Dash finals on Saturday at Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — The 2018 state track meet will be one Chase McAlister never forgets.

After helping the South Central Calhoun distance medley to a third place finish Friday night, McAlister sprinted to a runner-up performance in the Class 2A 800 on Saturday inside Drake Stadium.

Just days after the passing of classmate Jacy McAlexander, McAlister made sure to honor his fallen friend on the blue oval.

“This week was definitely one to remember,” McAlister said. “I made so many memories with my friends and family here that I’ll never forget. It just doesn’t seem real with Jacy’s situation.

“I’ll always remember him with this.”

McAlister recorded a time of 1:56.51, finishing only behind Pekin’s Isaiah Wittrock, who completed the two-lap race in 1:55.94.

Titan teammate Spencer Moon, who was 21st in the 800 in 2:03.04, added a fourth place finish in the 1600 to complete his track meet. The junior clocked a time of 4:30.21.

“I can’t thank Spencer enough for how well he did (in the 800),” McAlister said. “All year, I’ve paced myself off of him and I watched him take off so I knew I had to go. After that moment, I stuck to my plan and raced my race.

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. I had the biggest smile on my face when it finally hit me that I got second. I worked for that moment all year and it finally paid off.”

Josh Henkenius, Jared Birks, Nic Englin and McAlister also placed 15th in the sprint medley with a time of 1:36.95.

For her first state meet, Southeast Valley freshman Kiersten Fisher walked away with three state medals in all — two of which came on the final day.

Fisher was the runner-up in the 100 with a time of 12.81 and also placed third in the 100 hurdles in 15.54. She was a medalist in the high jump and also qualified in the 200.

“The finals was a great experience,” Fisher said. “As a freshman, I’m very satisfied with the results, but there is always room for improvement. I’m looking forward to next year and now know where to set my goals.”

Emmetsburg’s Blake Vermulm capped off his senior year with a pair of Top-5 finishes in the sprint events. Vermulm was third in the 100 (10.96) and fourth in the 200 (22.65).

The E-Hawks were also 22nd in the sprint medley in 1:58.70 with Jenna Joyce, Abbie Schany, Taylor Steinkamp and Mackenzie King.

Jill Vonnahme of Pocahontas Area added to her state medal collection with a sixth in the 1500, finishing in 4:58.25.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Bailey Kenyon was 17th in the 1500. The junior had a time of 2:29.17.

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