A handful of Washington Demon track athletes were able to qualify for next week’s state meet in Des Moines.The Demon boys’ and girls’ squads were at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex Thursday evening, competing in the Class 3A state qualifying meet hosted by Mount Pleasant Community Schools. The top two finishers of each event are invited to Drake Stadium next week for the running of the Iowa Girls and Boys State Track Meet.

The Washington girls’ track team had top two finishes in four events, qualifying for state in the shot put, 100 meter dash, the shuttle hurdle relay, and the 4×100 meter relay. Senior McKayla Miller finished as the district champion in the shot put, hurling it 35’2.75″, besting the 11-person field by over 10 inches. The Demons’ shuttle hurdle relay team of senior Carolan Hoffman, senior Emma Wood, senior Mackenzie Knutson, and junior Jessie Buchholz also claimed district championship status, clocking the top time of 1:08.17. Washington’s 4×100 meter relay concluded the regular season with a second place finish. The crew of junior Makenzi Marek, freshman Jenah Greiner, senior Amber Salow, and senior Kelly Wheeler completed a collective lap around the track in 51.5 seconds, one second behind Davenport Assumption for the district title. Wheeler is also set to compete at the blue oval in the 100 meter dash, finishing second overall with a time of 12.85 seconds.

Senior Michael Ellingson is the lone district champion for the Washington boys’ track team. Ellingson claimed the district championship in the high jump competition, clearing 6′ and setting a personal record.

Washington has a chance to qualify other events for the state meet based on time. The next best eight performances across the state from Class 3A qualifying meets will also be invited to compete in next week’s state meet. KCII Sports will have more information once it becomes available.