Jack Stamp, a sophomore from Springville, was determined to run quicker at the class 1A state 1600-meter run in Des Moines than he did at the state qualifying meet a week prior.
Stamp, who was seeded 18th entering the state competition at Drake Stadium, surpassed that by one position, as his time of 4:39.14 earned him a 17th-place overall placing against the 24-runner field.
“Jack had the final running event for us at the state meet,” explained Oriole boys’ track coach Tyler Husak. “Jack’s typical start time is 70-71 seconds, but for this race we instructed him to press the tempo to 69-69 seconds in order to finish under 4:40.
The objective has been attained.
It proved to be a wise decision, as this race was extremely competitive. Jack completed the first circuit in 68 seconds, after which competitors typically fell behind him. He made his standard move, but this field did not vanish, and Jack was forced to continue fighting. He completed the hole in 70-71 and then brought the ball home in 69 seconds.
“The time was a PR overall. Jack is a very consistent runner who understands precisely where he is on each lap for splits. This young man is only a sophomore, but based on the tremendous progress he has made this year, I believe his future and the future of anyone who follows in his footsteps is promising.
Stamp was pleased with his performance at his first state meet and can’t wait to prepare for a return voyage next spring.
“I wanted to run in less than 4:40, and I was able to do so,” he said. “I really enjoy competing in this type of environment at state. There is nothing else comparable. I was unable to attend state last year as a freshman, but this is exactly what I anticipated.
Now is the time to prepare for autumn cross country. I’d also like to return to state in that discipline, where I hope to finish in the top five. That is the objective anyway.”
Landon Bendgen of Woodbine won the 1A 1600-meter state championship by crossing the finish line in 4:18.92 seconds.
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