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Assumption 3rd in 2A competition

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By Jon Gremmels | Saturday, May 24, 2008 |

DES MOINES — Davenport Assumption entered the Iowa Class 2A girls track and field state meet feeling pretty good about its chances. The opening race Friday morning did nothing but intensify their desire to return home with a trophy.

The Knights had no problems starting their day. They won the opening event, the distance medley relay final, in 4 minutes, 11.73 seconds.

“That’s the most fun part of the day,” said Steph Quinn, who ran the second leg (200 meters). “No one is here, and it’s cool out. The DMR is the most fun race.“

The results made it even more fun, as Tipton finished second at 4:14.25. Finishing ahead of the Tigers was important because the signs point to a close battle between Assumption, Tipton and North Polk for the team title today. Based on qualifying times for today’s events, all three teams are poised to finish in the 45- to 50-point range.

“This is what’s going to set the table for us,” Assumption coach Tim O’Neill said early in the day, referring to the qualifying for today’s finals.

After 10 events, Assumption was in third place with 22 points, four behind leader Orange City Unity Christian and two behind runner-up North Polk. Tipton was in a three-way for fourth place with 20.

The 10 first-place points the Knights received for winning the distance medley relay even put them in first place temporarily. They entered the race with the best 2A regional time.

“We felt confident, but obviously we were nervous,” said Katie Merritt, who ran the leadoff leg. Quinn followed, then Jordan Ricciuti replaced Mary Menster for the third leg (400 meters) but kept Assumption at the front. Senior Amanda Brandt pulled away to win the event by about 21/2 seconds over Tipton.

“We always put pressure on her,” Merritt said.

Quinn anchored the 800 relay unit that placed fifth, following Tipton and Camanche across the finish line, to earn another four points for the Knights.

Merritt later qualified fourth for the finals of the 100 hurdles, an event in which she placed second last year. Quinn anchored the 400 relay team that qualified for the finals, and led off for the 1,600 relay unit that also advanced. The Knights event won their heat of the 400 relay, when Quinn held off East Marshall’s Alaina Heng for one-hundredth of a second win (50.97 seconds).

“The last 20 is the most fun but the hardest,” Quinn said. “It’s make or break.“

Make or break pretty much sums up today’s finals for the Knights.

“I think we have a great chance,” Merritt said.

Jon Gremmels can be contacted at (563) 383-2294 or at jgremmels@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qcvarsity.com.