The Washington Demons are putting their track and field skills to the test today when they travel to Mount Vernon for a Class 3A state qualifying meet. 37 athletes represented Washington in over 20 events at state in 2024, and many are looking for return trips to Des Moines this season.

That includes sophomore Greyson Hartman, who will try to reach state both in the boys’ shot put and discus throws after winning Southeast Conference championships in both events last week. Hartman finished second at the Drake Relays in the shot put and is trying to get back to state in the shot.

Senior Tyler Alderton will be another top contender for the Demon boys after he was Southeast Conference champion in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs, adding to a host of medals he’s racked up in the distance races for a Washington squad that was runner-up at the conference meet and has won two total team titles this spring.

Junior Josh Anderson will also be looking to get back to Drake Stadium in the 101, 201 and 401-meter wheelchair races after earning state medals in all three races in each of the last two seasons.

On the girls’ side, the Demons’ second-place finish as a team at conference last week added to a brilliant season where they’ve won three times and never finished worse ninth during the outdoor portion of the schedule.

Junior Leighton Messinger has been a key part of that success, scoring a number of medals in both the 100 and 400-meter hurdles runs and winning a Southeast Conference crown in the latter event.

Messinger has also helped Washington come away with multiple medals in the shuttle hurdles relay this season, running alongside senior Kendall Hinrichsen, junior Leighton Salazar and sophomore Layla Green.

Junior Iris Dahl made her return from injury last week to win the conference title in the 1,500 meters and will be a factor in the distance races for the Demons, as will senior Lauren Horak and sophomore Emma Horak.

Sophomore Jaedyn Moore and freshman Lauren Drahota will be utility pieces in the sprint and distance runs, while freshman Jaslyn Villa looks to continue her success in the long jump and the relays.

Washington’s competition at state qualifying will be Mount Vernon, Williamsburg, Solon, Grinnell, Benton, Newton and South Tama. The top two finishers in each event will automatically qualify for the state championships. Events will begin at 4 o’clock this afternoon.