-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mariah Myers of St. Edmond compete in 1A girls Shot Put on Thursday inside Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — Mariah Myers already left her mark on the St. Edmond athletic history books even before the state track and field championships began here Thursday morning.

But the Gael senior and future University of Iowa softball player made sure to cement her status with a gold-medal performance inside Drake Stadium.

With a personal best and school record throw of 42-0, Myers captured the Class 1A shot put, helping give St. Edmond the lead in the team race after the opening round of finals.

Junior teammate Anna Lursen added to the total with a runner-up performance in the 400-meter run, as the Gaels currently sit with 18 points. Pekin is second with 11 followed by Nashua-Plainfield, Wayne and Council Bluffs St. Albert all tied for third with 10.

Myers, who was second in the shot put last year at state and 10th in the discus, took control of the event with her first attempt. That toss came in at 41-10, as she went 41-6 on her second throw of the opening flight.

After a 39-11.25 and a foul on her first throw of the championship flight, Myers uncorked with her 42-0 to take the event title.

Iowa Valley’s Lydia Kriegel was the only other athlete to go over 40-feet, coming in second at 40-4. ASGWSR’s Josie Kuper was third.

Myers will have the opportunity to double-up, as she throws in the discus on Friday. She had the best discus throw at districts, going 132-4.

“It feels great because this was my goal after getting second last year,” Myers said. “I tried to give it my best and leave it all out there because it was my last time.”

Lursen, who still has the 800, 400 hurdles and sprint medley to run, went 57.47 to finish behind only Nashua-Plainfield standout Kadence Huck in the 400. The two battled in the third and final heat, which produced the Top-5 finishers.

“The 400 is a challenging race, but nevertheless, a great race to start the week,” Lursen said. “I knew what I had to do and what I had to run to get the job done. I am happy with my time but not at all satisfied.

“This was just the beginning of the next two days and I am excited to see what is in store for both myself and my team.”

Along with Myers in the discus and Lursen’s events, the St. Edmond girls have Josie Harvey in the 100 hurdles to run along with the sprint medley relay.

“It was a good day to be a Gael,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “We couldn’t be happier for Mariah. To finish her high school career in the shot put with a state championship is amazing. We are so proud and happy for her.

“Anna ran a great race in her 400. She did exactly what she needed to do and we are also very proud of her.”

Anthony Valles placed 15th in the 3,200 for the Gaels, as the junior posted a time of 10:08.11. His time was a personal best, as North Iowa’s Gavin Grunhovd took home top honors in 9:22.99.

Aaron Hindt, a sophomore, ran in the prelims of both the 100 and 200. Hindt originally made the finals in the 200, but was disqualified.

In the 100, he placed 10th overall in 11.28.

“Aaron ran a PR in the 200,” SEHS head coach Cory Naughton said. “Definitely a learning experience for him. He did a nice job of recovering and running a good time in the 100 prelims.”

The St. Edmond boys still have the 4×400-meter relay to run.