Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Tyler Schreier of Fort Dodge wins the 100-meter dash at the Dodger Relays on Monday inside Dodger Stadium as teammate Christian Davidson (far right) also competes. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge boys track team made sure to soak it all in.

Every event. Every win. Every single minute.

For the first time in eight seasons — and just the second this millennium — FDSH captured its own Dodger Relays championship on Monday. Head coach John McBride’s squad accumulated 174 points in the 62nd running of the event, finishing ahead of a split Waukee squad (146) and Mason City (132) for the Class A crown.

This one meant a little more to Fort Dodge. Not only was it the Dodgers’ first and only home meet of the season at J.H. Nitzke Track, but the coaches and athletes appreciated the experience all the more after missing 2020 because of the global pandemic.

And although he tried to shy away from the attention while keeping the news under wraps, word started to travel fast that this was officially going to be McBride’s 14th and final year at the helm.

“It means so much to win the Dodger Relays, especially for Coach McBride, given this is his last season,” said FDSH senior Sam Daniel. “I’m so proud of this team for our second meet win (in 2021), but we have a lot of work to do to keep getting our times faster — especially since (the) Drake (Relays) and districts are coming around the corner.”

Fort Dodge won nine events in all, anchored by four relay golds and three field-event crowns. Senior Tyler Schreier also grabbed the 100-meter dash title in 11.25, and junior Jake Erickson was the 200 champ in 23.09.

The Dodgers’ headliners — the 4×100- and 4×200-meter relays — won in 44.18 and 1:31.65, respectively, on a cool, windy evening at Dodger Stadium. Senior Christian Davidson, Erickson, Daniel and Schreier comprised both sprint lineups.

Senior Sawyer Springer captured the shot put (48-2), and junior Jon Astor took the discus (133-0). Schreier also prevailed in the long jump (21-7).

FDSH’s sprint medley quartet of Davidson, Daniel, junior Eli Elsbecker and senior Jerry Chada crossed first in 1:37.11, as did the distance medley team of junior Amaris Harris, senior D’Arien Calahan, junior Ayden Johanson and Elsbecker (4:00.83).

“You just come into a situation like this with a different perspective after last year — one I’m sure none of us ever thought we’d have,” said McBride, who has been with the program for 17 years in all. “You appreciate everything that much more. The victory lap at the end, that’s something these kids will never forget.

“We just have guys who love to compete. And they didn’t get to do that last spring. So they’re making up for lost time. This is such a great group — one of my favorites. They’re talented, but they’re also well-rounded athletes who push themselves and have fun doing it.”

Chada was second in the 800 (2:12.93). Senior Tyler Kasperbauer was a silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.93), as was James Daniel in the 400 (54.42).

Sophomore Connor Carver earned runner-up honors in the 110-meter hurdles (16.84).

“This was awesome, especially considering we weren’t able to have a season last year and everything that’s happened so far (in 2020 and ’21),” Springer said. “I think we’ve come a long way. I’m glad I finally got that first-place finish at home (in the shot put), but it means even more knowing we won the team title, too.

“I think Coach McBride deserves all the success, considering everything he’s given the program these past 17 years. He’s one of those coaches who teaches you more about life than just the sport. He likes us for the people we are, rather than just as athletes.”

This marks the first time in McBride’s tenure that Fort Dodge has taken multiple meet titles in the same season. The Dodgers won the Boone Invitational earlier this month.

“(Meet) wins are a big deal. They don’t happen very often,” McBride said. “It just feels good to be out there, getting after it and enjoying these opportunities. Even the junior varsity kids and freshmen were getting into it, jumping up and down and increasing the energy level. No one’s taking any of this for granted. That’s what we keep preaching. That’s the goal.”

McBride also thanked FDSH athletic and activities director Kevin Astor, meet starter Fran Long and the other volunteers for “making this the most well-run event in the state, year after year. We are so incredibly fortunate to have them on our side and in Fort Dodge.”

Fort Dodge is at Waukee on Thursday at 4 p.m.