Newton girls track and field team blitzed the Drake Relays with a season-best time of 50.67 seconds in the 4×100-meter relay, dramatically improving their season ranking and showcasing new team dynamics amid fierce competition at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
Earlier in the season, Newton struggled with a dropped baton during the relay at Oskaloosa, but swift changes to the relay order propelled the Cardinals to a standout performance on Saturday. Before the meet, Newton ranked 78th statewide, but their explosive run lifted them to 53rd overall with their fastest time of the year, cutting nearly a full second off their previous best of 51.56 seconds.
Junior BrookLynn Britton launched the relay, passing to sophomore Camryn Klein, then to fellow sophomore Ashlyn Karsten, and capped by senior Lauren Clarke. This fresh lineup also boosted their handoffs, a critical factor Clark emphasized for further improvement.
Lauren Clarke: “Our handoffs can always be better, but we are happy with how we ran today.”
The order switch allowed Karsten to run a bend she felt confident navigating, enabling tighter turns and more efficient baton exchanges. “Being able to lean and stay inside the lane really helped,” Karsten said.
The Cardinals competed against stiff field in Class 3A, finishing 22nd among peers. Leading teams ADM and Decorah finished with blazing times of 48.04 and 48.5 seconds respectively, setting a tough benchmark Newton aims to challenge next.
For Clarke, this meet marks her third Drake Relays appearance and she remains flexible about her event line-up heading into state qualifiers, possibly juggling multiple sprint and relay events.
Newton also debuted new uniforms to freshen the team’s competitive edge, adding pride and energy to their outings. “I really like them,” Karsten noted. “It makes it more fun to be part of the team.”
Additionally, Newton’s junior high squads posted strong results, including a third-place finish in the mixed 4×400 relay and a new school record in the 4×100 relay with a 53.97-second run, signaling deep talent on the horizon.
With state qualifying meets approaching, this breakthrough at the Drake Relays positions the Newton girls as a growing threat in sprint events statewide. Coaches and athletes alike see this as a stepping stone toward faster times and more podium finishes.
Next up: Newton aims to refine handoffs and build on this momentum in the coming weeks, targeting a strong showing at state to capitalize on their improving relay chemistry and speed.
The latest performance confirms Newton’s determination to rebound from earlier setbacks and emerge as a serious contender in Montana and the broader Midwest sprint scene this season.
