-Messenger photo By Britt Kudla Carter Sievers of Fort Dodge compete in 1A boys Long Jump during State Track on Thursday inside Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — The opening day of the state track and field meet was met with rising temperatures, a packed Drake Stadium and several Top-10 finishes for Messengerland athletes on the boys side.

Carter Sievers of Newell-Fonda earned a medal, taking the bronze in the Class 1A long jump. Sievers, a multi-sport standout for the Mustangs, went 21-05.5 on his first attempt of the meet.

Sievers also had jumps of 21-01.75 and 20-03.5 during the action.

“It feels pretty awesome to start out the weekend with a third place medal,” Sievers said. “My coach has been awesome in supporting me and pushing me to put in the work to get this far.

“I am excited for the rest of the weekend and to run with my teammates.”

Southeast Valley’s Aaron Graves added another note on his incredible resume, finishing fifth in the 2A shot put. Graves, who is headed to the University of Iowa to begin his football career next month, saved his best for last, launching his sixth attempt 53-09.75.

Graves also had two throws over 51 feet during the event. His teammate, Ethan Ackerson, finished 21st in the shot put.

Distance runners Oscar Hanson and Cooper Nuss competed in the 3,200-meter run, with Hanson placing 19th and Nuss 21st. Tre Fisher finished 21st in the prelims of the 200 for the Jaguars.

Humboldt’s shuttle hurdle relay of Jordan Coon, Corey Dettmann, Keegan Groat and Caden Matson clocked the fifth-fastest 3A time in the prelims, qualifying for finals in 1:01.16. The Wildcats were also 18th in the 4×800 with Jackson Dodd, Mason Van Pelt, Jackson Chambers and Trevor Jacobson running.

Manson Northwest Webster’s shuttle hurdle relay of Ethan Egli, Matt Condon, Ian Kohnen and Cael Collins just missed out on advancing to the 2A finals, placing ninth in 1:02.41. The eighth-seed finished in 1:02.36.

Collins was also 17th in the long jump.

North Union’s Bryer Prochniak advanced to both the 1A 100 and 200 finals, placing sixth in the 100 prelims in 11.47 and eighth in the 200 prelims in 23.28.

Pocahontas Area’s 4×800 relay of Josiah DeYoung, Adam Axman, Ben Berte and Lucas Kopriva finished 15th in 2A. Brandon Lenz placed 19th in the 400.

Eagle Grove’s Blake Morgan was 18th in the 2A 200 prelims and Emmetsburg’s Lane Auten 12th in the 2A 100. Webster City’s J.J. Moore was 24th in the 3A discus.