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Zeisneiss doubles up with bronze

Marshalltown’s Metzger improves on seeding

T-R PHOTO BY THORN COMPTON • South Hardin junior Brylie Zeisneiss throws during the Class 2A discus competition in the Iowa Co-Ed State Track and Field Championships on Friday.

DES MOINES — A day removed from becoming the first ever shot put state champion in South Hardin girls track and field history, Brylie Zeisneiss was looking to make it two golds in the Iowa Co-Ed State Track and Field Championships with a win in the 2A discus on Friday afternoon.

Zeisneiss entered the discus as the top qualifier, but it was a field littered with tough competition, including her rival Jamie Kofron from Tipton.

In the shot put on Thursday, Zeisneiss got the better of Kofron, but in the discus it was Kofron who came out on top, winning with a final throw of 140 feet, 5 inches.

Zeisneiss finished in third with a top throw of 130-2, and while she didn’t achieve her goal of winning both throws, the Tiger junior said it wasn’t a bad day of competition.

“I am content with it, I knew just like yesterday it was going to be very hard to place and it showed today,” she said. “It wasn’t one of my best days but I know I can improve so that makes me happier that I placed third. It was an improvement from last year and I am super happy with that.”

T-R PHOTO BY THORN COMPTON • Marshalltown senior Grace Metzger throws the shot put during the Class 4A competition at the Iowa Co-Ed State Track and Field Championships on Friday.

Even in warmups, Zeisneiss didn’t quite look herself with her throws, and she said there wasn’t anything major wrong with her technique but more of a snowball affect.

“I wasn’t getting out fast enough, I was staying closed, I wasn’t opening up, there were a bunch of things that were going on. Where my hand was on the disk, all the little things,” she said. “Nothing was lining up and it showed but I am still happy with where I placed.”

Had Zeisneiss just placed third in the discus even without the win in the shot put on Thursday at Drake Stadium, that would still be the best finish for any South Hardin girl thrower in the history of the school. She said she is aware of what her place is in the history of Tigers sports, and that she isn’t done yet putting her stamp on the South Hardin track and field record book.

“I know I’ve made a big impact and I hope that the younger classmen coming up, I hope I can get some of them in the ring and make them throwers and hopefully get them down here,” she said. “It’s lonely being the only one, so I hope to get more people down here either next year or in the coming years.”

East Marshall senior Justin Ridout also closed out his season in the 2A discus competition, throwing a 135-7 to place 22nd.

Metzger moves up

Marshalltown senior Grace Metzger finished her first appearance at the state meet on Friday by competing in the 4A shot put to kick off the second day of action.

She entered the meet with the last qualifying throw, but after launching a toss of 33-11 3/4 with her final attempt, she climbed up four spots to finish 20th in the event.

Even with the uptick in placing, Metzger said she was a bit disappointed she didn’t reach her personal record of over 36 feet.

“I definitely could have thrown better but I didn’t get last so I would say it was a good day,” Metzger said. “I wanted to throw further but have fun while doing it.”

With the placing, Metzger tenure with the Bobcat track and field team came to an end, and she said there was no better place than at Drake Stadium for her career to come to a close.

“It’s been a great four years and I am really happy with how the season has gone,” Metzger said. “I am really glad I got an opportunity to come here to state for one year, and it’s just a great way to end my high school sports career.”

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