Shannon Gorman has grown accustomed to getting up early and going for long jaunts as one of the top distance runners in Iowa, but those early-morning excursions will take a new twist when she reports for duty at the U.S. Naval Academy June 30.

When she gets to Annapolis, those early-morning runs will begin shortly after 4 a.m. and there could be somebody yelling at her at the equivalent of Navy's boot camp.

Gorman narrowed her college choices to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy before going Navy.

"I'm definitely excited for it," she said Tuesday. "I'm scared about getting yelled at and waking up at 4 in the morning every day, but I think it's necessary (for training purposes).

"I'm confident that I can get through it, but I know it will be really tough."

Gorman has been one of the top distance runners in the state during her four-year varsity career at Cedar Rapids Washington. She's placed in the top-15 in eight events at the state track meet, topped by fifth-place showings in the 3000 and distance medley, and she's run at the state cross country meet all four years.

Gorman helped Washington win the distance medley Tuesday at the Prairie Relays, even though she's not in the best condition of her career as her prep days wind down and she prepares for the Navy.

Gorman had one of the most compelling individual stories at the Prairie Relays Tuesday as she prepares for military life, but the Prairie Hawks had the most compelling team.

Prairie won eight events and rolled up 162 points for a convincing victory over Iowa City West, which finished with 126 markers.

Hailee Montgomery and Halle Lueck were triple winners for Prairie. Montgomery captured the 100 hurdles and ran on the triumphant shuttle hurdle relay and sprint medley. Lueck won the long jump and ran on the victorious 4x200 relay and sprint medley.

Kenzie Soeken claimed the high jump for Prairie and Jocelyn Wood won the 800. The Hawks also won the 4x800 relay.

Gorman had some high-powered help when she sought entry to the Naval Academy. She received congressional nominations from Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Tom Harkin and U.S. Representative Bruce Braley that helped her get the appointment to Annapolis.

Gorman said she was not interested in attending a "civilian" college and was attracted to a military academy because of its structure, job opportunities and travel. "And serving your country," she quickly added.

"Going into my sophomore year, I loved the Air Force Academy. And so that was my first choice, until last summer," she said.

She attended camps at both the Air Force and Naval Academies and began wrestling with her decision after being accepted at both institutions. "It was kind of hard for me to choose," she said.

Gorman said she'd like to get into the intelligence branch of the Navy. She'll have a five-year commitment to the Navy after graduating from the academy, then will have to decide whether to stay in the service or enter civilian life.

Gorman said she did not train as hard this winter as she normally does for track, but she's still a top runner and has enjoyed a distinguished career.

"With the exception of this season, I'm proud of what I've done," she said.

Emiko Coffey of Xavier won the 1500 meter run.

Team Standings

1. Prairie 162, 2. Iowa City West 126, 3. Waterloo West 72, 4. Washington 62, 5. North Scott 59, 6. Davenport West 54, 7. Xavier 48.

Winners

High jump - Kenzie Soeken, Prairie, 5-0

Long jump - Halle Lueck, Prairie, 16-11

Shot put - Blaire Thomas, Waterloo West, 39-10

Discus - Abby Braxton, IC West, 123-09

3000 - Emily Starman, IC West, 11:53.62

4x800 relay - Prairie (Jocelyn Wood, Hope Steimel, Hannah Frazee, Emily Wallace) 10:45.04

Shuttle hurdle relay - Prairie (Hailee Montgomery, McKenna Mumaw, Katie VanDooren, Natalie Bohnsack) 1:08.84

100 - Kadejah Sanders, Washington, 13.39

Distance medley - Washington (Jasmyne Jones, Kadejah Sanders, Amara Taylor, Shannon Gorman) 4:26.19

400 - Valerie Welch, IC West, 1:00.44

4x200 relay - Prairie (Amanda Pipolo, Madison Dellamuth, Halle Lueck, Kenzie Soeken) 1:49.06

100 hurdles - Hailee Montgomery, Prairie, 16.46

800 - Jocelyn Wood, Prairie, 2:32.17

200 - Haley Puk, Waterloo West, 27.47

400 hurdles - Jessica Junker, North Scott, 1:12.98

Sprint medley - Prairie (Hailee Montgomery, Amanda Pipolo, Halle Lueck, Hannah Grimm) 1:55.79

1500 - Emiko Coffey, Xavier, 5:27.64

4x100 relay - Iowa City West 50.76

4x400 relay - Waterloo West 4:18.09