Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Quinten McCarville of St. Edmond competes in the Class 1A high jump on Friday in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Quinten McCarville set a goal of qualifying for the state track and field meet this season.

McCarville did that and then some, scoring a medal in the Class 1A high jump here Friday morning inside Drake Stadium.

By clearing both 5 feet, 10 inches and 6-0, McCarville secured an eighth-place finish. He was unable to get over the bar at 6-2.

“Honestly, it was just a blessing to be here,” McCarville said. “I was so relieved. I accomplished my goal of making it to state. Little did I know I was going to achieve another goal of medaling.

“At the beginning of the season, I really didn’t think I would make state, but I got better and better at every meet. Seeing thousands of fans around me, eyes on me, it was awesome. It’s truly a blessing of running and jumping at the blue oval. I can proudly say I am one of the best in the state in high jump.”

New London’s Kade Benjamin won the event, clearing 6-7.

Gaels Jonathan Xiao, John Nemmers, Klay Baker and Aaron Lursen finished 15th in the distance medley with a time of 3:45.23. The 4×400 relay of Zach Smith, Baker, Hayden Mayer and Cayne Reed placed 22nd in the prelims in 3:40.95.

St. Edmond’s girls’ distance medley relay clocked a time of 4:31.72 to finish 17th with Mya McClain, Gracie Harvey, Caroline Shelly and Ellie Knox running. The same quartet also was 15th in the 4×400 prelims in 4:17.25.

“Running on the blue oval was definitely super emotional,” McClain said. “I love my teammates more than anything and I am so proud of how well they ran. Even though I ran on the blue oval for the last time, both of my relays got PRs — that’s a win in my book.

“I have amazing coaches and teammates who pushed me this season and I wouldn’t have ran on that track without them. Running on that track meant the world to me and I couldn’t be prouder of all the events that competed at state.”

This was the final meet for both McClain and Harvey. Shelly will run in the 800 on Saturday.

“Running my final race felt very surreal,” Harvey said. “When we finished the race, I was sad because it meant my track career was over but I was beyond proud of how far we have come during this season.

“If one thing is for sure, we gave it our all and left our hearts on the track.”

Lursen will also run in the 800 to complete the weekend.