Cougars finish seventh in State 1A team race

DES MOINES - The Gold Medal Mentality. 

Bring your best mental and physical effort each and every meet, and that’s all coach Eric Olson can ask from his AGWSR girls track and field team. 

“It's my job to get them in shape and get them in a spot where their body will perform to the best of their ability,” Olson said. “But it's their job to go ahead and make sure that mentally prepared for everything they’re facing. That means positive self talk. This isn’t going to guarantee something great each time out. It’s about being in the best mental spot to compete and then giving their physical best.”

The Cougars gave themselves the opportunity to compete with the best in Class 1A at the 2024 State Track and Field Championships last week, scoring 28.5 points with six medaling events. 

Thursday set the table well for AGWSR to pick up right where they left off from last season’s third place team. The 4x800 meter relay of senior Catelynn Koop, junior Tori Metzgar, sophomore Piper Smith and senior Karis Lippert used two big legs from Smith and Lippert to move up to second place with a season best time of 9:47.46.

“It was great to see all four of them run as well as they did,” Olson said. “They worked together and encouraged each other. Catelynn got us started right. The other three competed hard and got this relay as high as we could. This was a really fun way to start off everything.”

Senior Abby Veld had just been on the Blue Oval only three weeks prior to compete in the Drake Relays in both discus and shot put. She was back on Thursday for shot put, throwing for 38 feet and 9.50 inches on her first attempt in the finals to place third and earn a spot on the podium. 

“Honestly, top three was my goal going into State,” Veld said. “I would have liked to reach 39 feet, but it was a beautiful day to throw. I love competing with these girls down here between Drake and State. I’ve grown each year and it means a lot to place higher this season.”

Veld continued to add points on the field side of things with a fourth place finish in discus on Friday. She threw for 117 feet and 11 inches to qualify for finals, popping off a throw of 127 feet and six inches on her last attempt to secure her finish. 

“I don’t know I’ve ever seen anyone work as hard on their craft as Abby does,” Olson said. “She’ll say she came up short, because Abby always wants more. She’s one of the greatest throwers in this state and has had a great career here.”

Senior Ava Olson gave the Cougars a few more points on Friday with a seventh place finish after clearing five feet and two inches. Ava had been out for a majority of the season, only jumping one meet prior to State after starting off the season with consistent jumps.

Relays came back into play Friday evening. Junior Trevyn Smith, sophomore Elise Olson, Piper Smith and Lippert placed fifth with a time of 4:18.93  The 4x400 meter relay of Piper Smith, Trevyn Smith, Elise Olson and Lippert squeezed their way into Saturday’s finals with a time of 4:13.40, a season best for the relay in part because of a strong anchor from Lippert. 

“I definitely feel more pressure and push myself every race,” Lippert said. “I knew from the start I’d have to be a better leader as a senior this season. Basically stepping into Brynn [Smith]’s shoes from last year.”

The Cougars rounded out another strong season as the 4x4 shattered Friday’s PR with a time of 4:08.99 to place fifth and solidify their position in the top 10 of Class 1A. 

“It was truly great to see them finish State with their fastest time in a competitive field,” Olson said. “Karis went all out with her final race and gave us a terrific split. Absolutely proud of how these girls ran together.”

Three events made the cut for State and while they didn’t score points, they did show what the Cougars were capable of beyond their signature events. Metzgar placed 18th in high hurdles with a time of 1:10.26. The sprint medley of Trevyn Smith, Elise Olson, Piper Smith and Lippert finished 19th with a time of 1:55.54. Junior Ella Diemer, Metzgar, Elise Olson and Trevyn Smith placed 23rd in the 4x200 meter relay with a time of 1:51.56. 

The graduation of Koop, Lippert, Ava Olson and Veld will be difficult shoes to fill for next year’s team. However, State this season did give Olson reasons to be excited for the 2025 season.

“I saw some things that were really encouraging,” Olson said. “I like how everyone coming back is so motivated. We’ll put together some offseason workouts. We’re expecting a few girls to come up from the eighth grade level and help our team right away. The cupboard is certainly not bare.”