T-R PHOTO BY STEPHEN KOENIGSEFLD • South Tama County’s Stacey Slaven clears the high jump bar set at 5 feet, 2 inches, on Thursday during the Class 3A state track and field meet. Slaven took fourth place, clearing 5-4.

DES MOINES — If she had to choose, Allison Yuska would go with the 400-meter hurdles against the open 400.

Some might think that’s crazy, with how demanding the one-lap sprint-plus-obstacles can be, but Thursday, Yuska got her least of the two favorites out of the way with at the Class 3A session of the state track and field meet.

Yuska was 11th in the 400, clocking a time of 1 minutes, 0.29 seconds. She was seeded 10th and was fine with the 11th-place finish. But with this one done, she can focus on some of the relays and today’s 400 hurdles with more of a passion. She’s hoping to find a surprise hidden somewhere in the next two days.

“I surprise myself sometimes,” Yuska said. “I’m going to Wartburg next year, and sometimes my dad looks at their meets and sees where I’d be coming in at. And that’s fourth at some meets, and I just didn’t think I was that good, so I surprise myself sometimes.”

Yuska was part of the shuttle hurdle relay that was 18th with a 1:09.45, unable to qualify for Saturday’s finals. She’ll also run in Saturday’s sprint medley final, in addition to her 400 hurdles today.

“I’d say I like the 400 hurdles more because it’s fun and it’s interesting,” Yuska said. “The 400 lows are kind of my specialty. And I really just want to run a PR and get in the top three again. My coaches always tell me I have a lot of potential, and sometimes I can see that in myself. But coming to these state meets makes it comes out more.”

Yuska joined a handful of other South Tama County athletes competing and medaling Thursday. Stacey Slaven cleared the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches, good enough for fourth place this year. Keith Keahna posted a mark past the 6-4 bar for fifth in the boys’ high jump.

Hunter Filloon also managed to find his way into the state meet after winning the 400 at his district. He was 23rd Thursday with a 54.49.

The Trojans will have Yuska in the 400 hurdles around 5:20 p.m. tonight, followed by the 4×100 relay at 6:20 p.m. Shot putter Sabrina Holtz will kick off the day at 2 p.m.

Team Standings

GIRLS 3A — 1. Davenport Assumption 29, 2. Sioux City Heelan 15, 3. Humboldt, North Polk 12, 5. Harlan, Gilbert 10, 7. Center Point-Urbana, Greene County, Dubuque Wahlert 8, 10. Oskaloosa 7.5; 15. South Tama County 5.

BOYS 3A — 1. Marion 26, 2. Mount Vernon 23, 3. Mount Pleasant 14, 4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 12, 5. Gilbert 11, 6. Carlisle, Center Point-Urbana 10, 8. Spencer, Glenwood, Boone 8; 18. South Tama County 4.