—Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla Humboldt’s Kendal Clark was third in the discus and 11th in the shot put.

DES MOINES — The opportunity to compete against the best in the state provided memorable moments and top finishes for several athletes from around the Messenger area here Thursday.

As part of the new schedule for the Drake Relays, all high school events were on the Blue Oval for a one-day format, instead of being spread out among the usual three days.

Quinton Orr, Humboldt’s distance standout, picked up the highest finish, placing second in the 3200. Orr and long-time rival Nate Mueller of Adel-ADM ran neck-and-neck throughout before Mueller pulled away.

Orr broke the long-standing school record with a time of 9:12.69, breaking the 35-year-old mark of 9:27. His time also places him 18th all-time in the state of Iowa for the event.

“When I finished I just looked up and saw I ran 9:12 and was just mind blown,” Orr said. “I thought I could run around 9:15 but that was a big goal. To crush that goal was such a good feeling. After, I just stood at the center of the infield and just looked around and took it all in.

“It’s a huge blessing and privilege to be able to run against the best and then to have a chance to compete as one of the best is even cooler.”

In the fall, Orr and Mueller will be teammates, as both have signed to compete for Iowa State University. Mueller, who also won the 1600, was recently named the Gatorade Player of the Year for cross country.

Orr finished 19th in the 1600 in 4:36.58.

“I had just over two hours between the distance medley and mile so I went and laid down for a bit but kept moving to not get tight,” Orr said. “In hindsight, I probably should have just laid down and recovered. I tried to make a move about 600 meters into the race but my legs just weren’t there. I’m not disappointed in my efforts as I ran a decent time for myself. I don’t like to make excuses but it was a long day and my training isn’t set up to race three really hard distance events in five hours, but that’s how it goes.

“State will be three days and I’ll be able to hammer out those events.”

Humboldt’s Kendal Clark left her mark, placing third in the discus. Clark recorded a throw of 128-9 on her fifth attempt, while also finishing 11th in the shot put (37-0.75).

Caden Matson, Cale Hundertmark, Eric Wittrock and Orr ran the distance medley, placing 13th in 3:40.71.

“I was most excited for the distance medley because we finally got the chance to race against a super-fast field,” Orr said. “Everyone was ready, but we ended up not running our best time and that was mostly on me. Luckily, my teammates are awesome and they didn’t hold it against me. This just motivated us for state.”

Matson was 24th in the 110 hurdles in 15.93 and anchored the shuttle hurdle relay that placed 14th. Jordan Coon, Troy Gerjets and Jacob Larrabee completed the relay, which went 1:05.14.

Kiersten Fisher had a strong day, as the Southeast Valley standout placed in a tie for fifth in the high jump and was 13th in the 100 hurdles. Fisher, who will attend the University of Iowa next year, cleared 5-3.75 and went 15.93 in the hurdles.

Fisher was a six-time qualifier for the Drake Relays, competing in both events three years. The meet was canceled last season due to COVID-19.

Kaleb Scott took part in the high jump for the Jaguars but did not clear the opening height.

West Bend-Mallard’s Rachel Fehr finished seventh in the 400 (58.63) and Sam Nielsen from North Union tied for ninth in the high jump (5-1.75).

Manson Northwest Webster’s Jaynie Wiese tied for 11th in the high jump (4-11.75) and teammate Lexi Wood was 19th in the shot put (36-2). Bishop Garrigan’s Audi Crooks placed 12th in the shot put with a throw of 36-11.5.

Cael Collins added a 16th place finish for the Cougars in the 110 hurdles, clocking a time of 15.77.

J.J. Moore of Webster City competed in both the shot put and discus, as the junior was 11th in the shot (51-11.25) and 13th in the discus (149-6). Kaiyu Levongkhom was 29th in the 110 hurdles (16.3).

Pocahontas Area’s Trey Oehlertz placed 14th in the 100 (11.29) and Dane Johnson was 24th in the shot put (45-4.5). The Indians’ 4×100-meter relay quartet of Chase Cook, Luke Vanderham, Cole Runneberg and Oehlertz placed 33rd in 44.68.

Greene County’s Bryce Stalder finished eighth in the long jump (21-4.25), Jackson Morton was 12th in the 110 hurdles (15.65) and the shuttle hurdle relay of Nathan Black, Stalder, Jaxon Warnke and Morton finished 11th.

Brooklyn Olson of Greene Countyw as 25th in the shot put (34.5.5).