Sports : VS at State Track: Personal best leads Sagan to 8th in 800

Payton Leonard competed in the 200 and 400 M dashe at State for VS.

Bristi Gerber, girls 800.

Bristi and the 800 runners begin their race.

Nolan Sagan had many reasons to smile after his personal record in the 800 earned 8th place.

Nolan Sagan's footwear makes him easy to spot on the track; the socks were from a VS Pink Night.

Nolan Sagan competes in the 800.

Payton Leonard

Bristi Gerber waits as judges talk before her race begins.

Dawne Schminke carries the baton for VS in the 4 x 200.

Sidney Robertson awaits the baton as Dawne Schminke approaches in the 4 x 200.

Clockwise, at Drake Stadium: Dawne S., Emma L., Devon W., Erica E., Payton L., Bristi G. & Sidney R.

VS ladies warm up before their race.

The VS time on the State scoreboard.

Nolan Sagan shaved nearly 5 seconds off his first-place finishing time in the District 800M dash during the State Track Meet finals on Saturday, finishing second in his heat and 8th overall in Class 3A with a time of 1:57.64. His first place time during the District meet in Vinton a week earlier was 2:02.44.

"Nolan had a great day Saturday," said VS Boys Track Coach Aric Chvala.

On Thursday, Sagan finished 17th in the boys 400 with a time of 51.63.

Senior Ricky Jeray finished 16th in the 3200, with a time of 10:26.05.

Coach Chvala said that next year looks promising for the VIkings, who had suffered some injuries this season, along with having many weather-related interruptions of practices and meets.

"I was very proud of both kids who competed this weekend. These kids did everything that we asked of them, and I couldn't be more happy for them that they were able to be rewarded at the end of it all," said Coach Chvala. "Ricky Jeray has been a staple of our team for four years and it will be tough to replace him; I only hope that the younger kids have learned a from watching him. Nolan had one of the toughest performances that I have ever seen in my time here. He now has a hand in a couple of school records and if he works as hard as he has and stays healthy I think he can be a part several more. He is a very modest guy so I know he doesn't want to think about those things but it's fun to think about what he could possibly do."

Nolan is part of the 4x800 record team from last year and now he has the open 800 record of 1:57.64 surpassing Forrest Isbell's 1:59.29 set in 2001, says Coach Chvala.

Vikettes ran well, look forward to next year

Vikette runners also set personal bests during the meet.

"I'm so proud of my 4x2 and Sprint Med teammates," said sophomore Dawne Schminke. "We ran our best times at the State meet this weekend, finishing 19th in 4x2 with a time of 1:49.6 and 14th in Sprint Med running a 1:53.72, our best time this year. What a great weekend and a great way to end my track season.'

The VS girls 4 x 200 team included Erica Engbretson, Sydney Robertson, Devin Womochil and Dawne Schminke

The 800 sprint medley team members were: Erica Engbretson, Dawne Schminke, Sydney Robertson and Payton Leonard.

In other girls events:

Payton Leonard finished 11th in the 400M with a time of 1.00.15, and 15th in the 200 with a time of 26.93.

Bristi Gerber was 19th in the 800M with a time of 2;26.28.

"We had a great time in Des Moines," said Vikette Coach Heather Kalous. "The girls were excited to run their best times of the year in the relays. Payton and Bristi were close to their best times of the year. We had great weather for the meet and only one senior was down there with us so it is exciting to already begin to think about next year."

Click below for links to results for each event:

BOYS/GIRLS