DES MOINES — The Iowa high school state track and field championships never fail to deliver drama, heartbreak, and triumph. On Friday, inside the historic Drake Stadium, a sophomore from East Sac County etched her name into the record books with a career-best performance in the girls Class 2A 400-meter hurdles. Wendie Veit, racing with poise beyond her years, captured the silver medal and shattered her own school record in the process.
Veit crossed the finish line in 1:03.32, a time that not only earned her runner-up honors but also stood as the fastest 400 hurdles ever run by an East Sac County athlete. Her previous best had been set earlier this season, but on the biggest stage of the year, she rose to the occasion. The gold medal went to Tipton’s Ella Hein, who clocked a winning time of 1:02.29. Hein, a senior and one of the top hurdlers in the state, managed to hold off the charging Veit over the final 100 meters.
“I just wanted to go out there and run my race,” Veit said after the event. “I knew it was going to be tough competition, but I trusted my training and tried to stay relaxed over the hurdles. Breaking my school record again feels amazing.”
Veit’s performance was the culmination of a stellar week at the state meet. On Thursday, she had already placed fifth in the 400-meter dash, showcasing her versatility as both a sprinter and hurdler. She was scheduled to conclude her championships on Saturday as part of the East Sac County sprint medley relay team, where she would anchor the final leg.
The 400 hurdles is often considered one of the most grueling events in track and field. Athletes must maintain speed and technique over ten barriers, each 30 inches high for girls, while navigating a full lap of the track. Veit’s ability to combine speed with rhythm made her a formidable contender. Her coach, who has worked with her since middle school, praised her work ethic and focus.
“Wendie is one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve ever coached,” said East Sac County head coach Mark Jensen. “She puts in the extra work, watches film, and always asks questions. To see her run a PR at state like that – it’s the payoff for all that effort.”
But Veit wasn’t the only athlete from the area to shine on Friday. Rachel Schany of Emmetsburg, a senior, was denied a repeat state title in the girls 2A high jump. She cleared 5 feet, 2 inches, which placed her fourth overall. Despite falling short of the gold, Schany’s week was already impressive: she had placed sixth in the long jump and eighth in the 400-meter dash earlier in the meet. She was set to conclude her high school career on Saturday in the 800-meter run.
“I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t repeat, but I’m proud of how I competed all week,” Schany said. “Getting three medals at state is something I’ll always remember.”
Schany’s versatility as a multi-event athlete has been a key part of Emmetsburg’s track program. She has been a four-year letterwinner and has consistently improved in the high jump, long jump, and middle-distance events. Her fourth-place finish in the high jump came after she cleared 5-2 on her second attempt, but she was unable to get over the bar at 5-4, which would have tied her for first.
In the field events, Pocahontas Area’s Adam Marsh competed in the discus, finishing 17th with a best throw of 148 feet, 5 inches. While he did not advance to the finals, his season has been one of steady improvement. Marsh, a junior, emerged as the top thrower for the Indians this spring and will be a key figure in their program next year.
The Pocahontas Area girls also made an impact in the relays. The 4×200 meter relay team of Danica Dreith, Halee Hauswirth, Natalie Sommerlot, and Khloe Mefferd placed 12th overall with a time of 1:47.50. The same quartet also ran in the 4×100 meter prelims, where they placed 15th. For a small school program, these finishes represent significant achievements, especially considering the depth of competition at the state level.
Manson Northwest Webster’s Thatcher Oswald closed out his high school career in the boys 400-meter hurdles. He placed 18th in a time of 57.27. Oswald, who has been a consistent performer for the Cougars, expressed gratitude for his final state meet experience. “It didn’t go exactly how I wanted, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete here one last time,” he said.
In preliminary action, Libbie Veit of East Sac County – Wendie’s younger sister – competed in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing 18th. Though she did not advance, her participation at the state meet as a freshman bodes well for the future of the Veit track legacy. Meanwhile, Tyce Jenness from Emmetsburg finished 21st in the 110-meter hurdles, also in the prelims.
The 2025 Iowa state track and field championships concluded on Saturday with a full slate of finals and relays. For Wendie Veit, the silver medal in the 400 hurdles was a career highlight, but she made it clear that she has her sights set on even higher goals for her remaining two years of high school. “I love this event, and I’m already looking forward to next season,” she said. “I want to work on my form over the last few hurdles and get stronger. This gives me a lot of confidence.”
The state meet at Drake Stadium has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 1900s. Generations of Iowa athletes have walked the same track, and each year new stars emerge. This year, Wendie Veit added her name to that legacy. Her school-record time of 1:03.32 places her among the top 400 hurdlers in Class 2A in recent memory. With continued development, she could challenge for the gold medal next year.
Beyond the individual performances, the meet showcased the depth of talent across all classes. From the explosive power of sprinters to the endurance of distance runners, the state championships represent the pinnacle of prep athletics in Iowa. For athletes like Schany, Oswald, and Veit, the memories made on the blue oval will last a lifetime.
As the sun set over Drake Stadium on Friday, the East Sac County contingent celebrated a successful day. Wendie Veit’s silver medal was the highlight, but the contributions of her teammates and other area athletes underscored the strength of northwest Iowa track and field. The future appears bright for these competitors, many of whom are underclassmen with more state meets ahead.
In the world of high school sports, few moments rival the thrill of an athlete reaching the podium at the state meet. Wendie Veit did just that, and in doing so, she inspired younger athletes from her school and community. Her story is one of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence – a narrative that resonates far beyond the track.
Source: messengernews.net News