DES MOINES — The past few meets, Jamie Kofron had been consistent. Forty-two feet in the shot put one night, 43 the next.
Great distances, for sure. But for Kofron — a junior at Tipton High School — a source of frustration.
“There was no way I was leaving here with another 43-footer,” Kofron said.
How about 45 feet, 5 1/2 inches? And how about a Drake Relays championship?
Kofron unloaded the winner on her final attempt Thursday at Drake Stadium, then watched as pre-meet favorite Kat Moody of Waukee fouled on her final attempt. The white championship flag was hers.
“I love to compete,” Kofron said. “If (Moody) would have had a winning throw on the last one, I’d have been the first one cheering for her.”
Kofron became Tipton’s first Drake winner since Ashley Miller claimed three 800-meter titles (2004, 2005, 2007).
It might not be her last. She enters Friday’s discus competition with the state’s best effort so far this season at 142-1.
Moody took the lead with a heave of 45-0 3/4 on her third attempt, Meanwhile, Kofron was her consistent self with 42- and 43-footers.
Then came the finale.
“The biggest thing that I’ve been working on was starting super slow in the ring, then speeding up at the end,” Kofron said.
Crestwood’s Ellie Friesen unseated Anna Hostetler of Mid-Prairie as the Drake 3,000-meter queen, outkicking her in the final 200 meters and winning in 9:50.44. Last year’s champion, Hostetler was second in 9:52.49.
“She has a good kick,” Hostetler said. “I don’t think I did a very good job pushing the pace.”
Said Friesen, who closed with a 69.2-second final lap: “What happened was exactly my plan. I know I can outsprint anyone.”
Hostetler, younger sister Marie Hostetler and Friesen ran in a pack out front for 2,300 meters. Marie Hostetler finished third in 10:14.90.
In the high jump, Skyler Presler of Linn-Mar converted her first attempt at 5-0, 5-2 and 5-4, and finished third.
Megan Durbin of Greene County won it at 5-7, and Kiersten Fisher of Southeast Valley was second at 5-6.
“It was a lot better than last year,” Presler said. “I only went 5-2, and it took me until my third try to do that.
“My timing was working well today. My body felt loose and good.”
DRAKE RELAYS: THURSDAY’S GIRLS RESULTS
High jump — 1. Megan Durbin (Greene County), 5-7; 2. Kiersten Fisher (Southeast Valley), 5-6; 3. Skyler Presler (Linn-Mar), 5-4; 4. (tie) Emma Atwood (Central Decatur), Sydney Durbin (Ida Grove OA-BCIG) and Morgan Johnk (Panorama), 5-4; 7. Madison Harms (Sergeant Bluff-Luton), 5-4; 8. (tie) Hannah Isley (Albia), Piper Watson (Mason City) and Rylie Todd (West Burlington-Notre Dame), 5-2.
Shot put — 1. Jamie Kofron (Tipton), 45-5 1/2; 2. Kat Moody (Waukee), 45-0 3/4; 3. Brylie Zeisneiss (South Hardin), 44-10; 4. Chandler Haight (Iowa City West), 43-10 3/4; 5. Lea Grady (Davenport Central), 42-6 3/4; 6. Marin Ehler (North Fayette Valley), 42-0 1/2; 7. Katy Jones (Lewis Central), 40-6; 8. Meghan Hettinga (MOC-Floyd Valley), 40-0 1/4.
3,000 — 1. Ellie Friesen (Crestwood), 9:50.44; 2. Anna Hostetler (Mid-Prairie), 9:52.49; 3. Marie Hostetler (Mid-Prairie), 10:14.90; 4. Emma Lucas (Bedford), 10:17.20; 5. Bailey Nock (Iowa City West), 10:21.87; 6. Deniz Ince (Iowa City West), 10:24.47; 7. Janette Schraft (East Mills), 10:24.48; 8. Emily Staal (Central City), 10:25.36.
l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com