Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Anthony Wagner of Fort Dodge competes during the shuttle hurdle relays during the Dodger Relays earlier this season.

Fort Dodge’s 4×100 quartet raced into the record books in their last outing, but they still have some unfinished business to attack on Thursday.

The Dodgers will host a Class 4A co-ed state qualifying track meet, beginning at 4 p.m. Running events start at 4:30.

“We’ve been getting better every time out, and to beat the school record means a lot,” said FDSH junior Tysen Kershaw. “We still have some room to improve.

“Getting to state and representing Fort Dodge would mean a lot to me.”

Kershaw along with sophomore Tyler Schreier, junior Brycen Bell and sophomore Sam Danielm crossed the tape in 42.90, eclipsing the previous mark of 43.16 set in 2015 by Keegan Myers, Trey Mosley, Sam Cook and Cray Washington.

The Dodgers enter with the second fastest time in the event, behind only Ames (42.61).

“The biggest thing at conference (with the 4×100) were their sticks,” said FDSH boys coach John McBride. “The only thing that was holding them up was getting the baton clean.”

Joining the Dodgers and Little Cyclones will be Ames, Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Des Moines Lincoln, Des Moines Roosevelt, Mason City and Urbandale.

Along with the 4×100, four other Dodger events are currently ranked in the Top-5 of the state-qualifying field. The 4×200 is third (1:30.03); Schreier is fourth in the 100 (11.07); and the shuttle hurdle quartet (1:03.25) and the 4×400 (3:27.85) both stand fifth.

“We have a good shot of getting four or five relays into state,” McBride said. “The sprint medley, shuttle hurdle relay, 4×1 and 4×2 are right there. I’m hoping we can sneak the 4×4 in as well.

“We have some individuals that have a chance, too.”

With the Dodger Relays being the only home event for Fort Dodge during the regular season, hosting a state-qualifying meet in front of their home crowd is something the athletes are embracing.

“It will be nice to not have to get on the bus and drive somewhere,” McBride said. “To run at home and compete in front of our home crowd is a huge benefit.

“The weather looks to be kind of up in the air, but if it holds, we will have (the meet). We’ll try and make a decision by 10 a.m., and if we don’t run (Thursday) we will move it to Friday.”

The Fort Dodge girls have two Top-5 events, leading with senior Kacee Gollob in the shot put. Gollob has thrown a 35-8¢. The 4×800 relay squad has the fifth-fastest time among participating schools coming in 11:05.90.

“It’s a loaded district with both Ankeny schools (Ankeny and Centennial),” said FDSH girls coach Todd Constable. “We have to perform really well to get (an event) in. Our sprint medley has been running well, but we have to make sure our handoffs are crisp.”

Running at Dodger Stadium is a highlight for FDSH, and Constable enjoys the fact that they’ll be able to do it twice.

“It’s a special place to have a meet like this,” Constable said. “There have been some great athletes that have performed here through the years.

“Not everyone can make the trip when you’re on the road, so to be home and see your kids run against elite competition is a tremendous opportunity for the boys and girls to showcase what they’ve been working so hard for all season.”