Dandy dozen for Stoakes

Sara Stoakes of North Tama won the Class 1A girls' 800- and 1,500-meter races at the state track meet Saturday. (Photo by Brian Ray)

DES MOINES — Sara Stoakes’ goosebump moment came on an 80-degree day.

One of the most versatile track athletes in state history, Stoakes wrapped up a brilliant career with two more girls’ Class 1A state championships at Drake Stadium.

She finished her career with 12 titles, including four this year. She accounted for all of North Tama’s 40 points, which was enough to give her school the 1A team title, its fourth in a row.

As she came down the home stretch with a safe lead in the 1,500, the crowd rose and acknowledged her accomplishments.

“That was something I’d always dreamed of,” said Stoakes, who will run at Kansas State University next year. “The final race, everybody on their feet … It gave me goosebumps.”

North Iowa was second with 38 points.

Stoakes  won her two races Saturday comfortably, taking the 800 in 2:13.26, then pulling away from Council Bluffs St. Albert’s Abby Schlater with 600 meters to go to claim the 1,500 in 4:44.78.

“I didn’t want to take any chances (against Schlater),” Stoakes said. “I knew I could outdistance her.”

Stoakes’ final ledger consists of two titles in the 100, 200 and 400, one in the 800, 1,500 and 400 hurdles and three relay crowns. She also won the cross country crown last fall.

“The sprinters say I can’t run cross country, and the distance girls say I can’t sprint,” Stoakes said. “I like to do it all.”

Highland finished second to North Iowa in the 400-meter relay, its second close brush with gold this weekend. The Huskies were second in the 800-meter relay Friday.

“It’s the exact same feeling,” said a mildly disappointed anchor Mollie Kloepfer. “Our handoffs were great, but (North Iowa) was quick.”

Valley Community was second in the 1,600 relay.

RESULTS

Teams — 1. North Tama 40, 2. North Iowa 38, 3. Council Bluffs St. Albert 32, 4. Twin Cedars 31, 5. (tie) Griswold and Southern Cal 30, 7. Central Lyon 25, 8. (tie) Grundy Center and New London 24, 10. Cardinal 22.

Sprint medley relay — 1. Grundy Center, 1:50.45; 2. Griswold, 1:51.14; 3. Southern Cal, 1:52.08; 4. Springville, 1:52.54; 7. Highland, 1:53.33; 8. Valley Community, 1:53.46.

800 — 1. Sara Stoakes (North Tama), 2:13.26; 2. Mary Schleusner (Central Lyon), 2:17.97; 3. Clarissa McPheron (New London), 2:18.27; 7. Shelbie Beatty (East Buchanan), 2:21.41.

Shuttle hurdle relay — 1. LeMars Gehlen Catholic, 1:07.34; 2. Treynor, 1:07.62; 3. Aplington-Parkersburg, 1:07.91; 6. Valley Community, 1:08.82.

100 — 1. Stephanie Nordyke (Lineville-Clio), 12.32; 2. Janie Penning (North Iowa), 12.71; 3. Haley Krull (Lake Mills), 12.84; 4. Emily Brecht (Olin), 12.88.

100 hurdles — 1. Sarah Yeager (Cardinal), 15.00; 2. Becca Nelson (Danville), 15.20; 3. Kayla Hatting (LeMars Gehlen), 15.52; 4. Jenna Altenhofen (Keota), 15.67.

200 — 1. Stephanie Nordyke (Lineville-Clio), 24.99; 2. Haley Krull (Lake Mills), 25.76; 3. Mariah Kruse (East Union), 26.23; 5. Brittany Clarke (Springville), 26.32; 8. Kelsey Heins (Postville), 26.92.

1,500 — 1. Sara Stoakes (North Tama), 4:44.78; 2. Abby Schlater (Council Bluffs St. Albert), 4:51.74; 3. Grace Moore (Mason City Newman), 4:57.47.

400 relay — 1. North Iowa, 50.56; 2. Highland, 50.84; 3. Cedar Falls NU High, 51.48; 5. Springville, 51.59; 8. Valley Community, 53.19.

1,600 relay — 1. North Iowa, 3:59.84; 2. Valley Community, 4:05.49; 3. Grundy Center, 4:05.85.

Link to the boys: Scott Dochterman’s blog

Tags: Class 1A, Highland, Mollie Kloepfer, North Iowa, North Tama, Sara Stoakes, state track meet