DES MOINES

Giving it their all and then some, the Lady Lion team of Vivian Zaruba, Rylee Shield, Ava Christofferson, and Addison McCullough raced in a total of four relay races at the state track and field meet in Des Moines and they did not disappoint.

Racing season best times in the 4x100m, the 4x200m, and the 800m sprint medley, these four Lady Lions placed within the top ten in all their relay races and set new school records in the process.

“I am so proud of Addison, Ava, Vivian, and Rylee.  They were excellent all week,” coach Chad Shield said. “The ladies placed and scored points in four events.  That is simply amazing and unprecedented for our program.”

On day two, this Lady Lions quarter raced in the 100m prelims, placing fourth with a school record time of 50.19. Advancing to the finals on day three, they once again placed fourth in the 4x100m with a time of 50.49.

“We came into the finals at fourth, and that’s what we got overall so, I would say that’s a plus,” Rylee Shield said about her relay team’s performance in the 4x100m finals.

“100% definitely gave it our all. Good exchanges. We did our best,” McCullough said about the 4x100m finals.

In the 4x200m, Lone Tree earned a seventh place finish in 1:47.52, another season best time.

“This group has such great rapport with each on baton exchanges and that shows on the track,” coach Shield said.

The 800m sprint medley also set a new benchmark for Lone Tree, as Rylee Shield, Zaruba, McCullough, and Christofferson raced to a new school record time of 1:51.21 to place fifth.

“We PR’d by a full second,” Zaruba said about the 800m sprint medley. “I don’t think we could have done much better. We did our best, and we did what we came here to do.”

“Our handoffs were amazing, and I think we all did really well,” Christoffeson said about the 800m sprint medley. “Each of us did good. All of our splits were amazing. I feel like all of us contributed an equal amount.”

Lone Tree was not just limited to relay races at state with Rylee Shield, Zaruba, and Ava Christofferson, all competing in individual events also.

Rylee Shield battled in the 400m (7th in 59.88), Zaruba zoomed in the 200m prelims (12th, 26.58), and Christofferson soared in the long jump (12th, 15-10.75).

“Vivian had a big PR in the 200 and Rylee placed seventh with a sub minute 400,” coach Shield said.

With state serving as the season finale, this was the last time seniors Rylee Shield and Zaruba raced as a Lady Lion, but they can hold their heads high knowing they produced more than impressive performances at the biggest state meet of the season.

“Oh, gosh. I mean, it’s bittersweet. I mean, I love track. I’m gonna be sad,” Zaruba said after finishing her last race for Lone Tree.

“They are great young ladies and so much fun to be around. We will definitely miss them next year but so glad they were able to end their careers in the finals in the 4 x 100,” coach Shield said about Zaruba and Rylee Shield. “It was a pretty special moment to see them  walk off the track together one last time!”

In the offseason Lone Tree says goodbye to senior Rylee Shield, Zaruba, Sami Branson, Alex Dautremont, Cate Sexton, and Hayden Yoder

“I feel so grateful to be able to compete with this team,” Rylee Shield said of her relay teammates. “The past two years, it’s been so much fun, and I will remember this for my entire life.”

1A GIRLS STATE RESULTS

800m sprint medley: 1, Maquoketa Valley, 1:50.02; 5, Lone Tree (Vivian Zaruba, Rylee Shield, Ava Christofferson, and Addison McCullough, 1:51.21

4x100m: 1, Fremont-Mills, 49.39; 4, Lone Tree (Vivian Zaruba, Rylee Shield, Ava Christofferson, and Addison McCullough), 50.49

4x200m 1, Lake Mills, 1:46.15; 7, Lone Tree (Vivian Zaruba, Rylee Shield, Ava Christofferson, and Addison McCullough), 1:47.52

200m prelims: 1, Jacey Johnston, Saint Ansgar, 25.23; 12, Vivian Zaruba, Lone Tree, 26.58

400m: 1, Kadence Huck, Nashua-Plainfield, 55.61; 7, Rylee Shield, Lone Tree, 59.88

Long jump: 1, Ella Whitney, Wayne Corydon, 17-05.75; 12, Ava Christoffeson, Lone Tree, 15-10.75