Metro Sports Report

Jenks claims 7th title at Drake

DES MOINES - As it turns out, Stephanie Jenks can run in traffic. And she's developed a strong kick for the rare occasion when she's actually challenged in a race.

The Linn-Mar junior needed both skills Friday to capture the 800 meter run at the 106th Drake Relays for her seventh career victory in America's Classic.

Jenks maneuvered her way through a tight pack of runners and sprinted down the home stretch to win the 800 in 2 minutes, 9.64 seconds in a talented field.

Mustangs slog past Viterbo, 2-0

Austin Czwewiec threw a 3-hit shutout as Mount Mercy blanked Viterbo, 2-0, in the first game of a scheduled Midwest Collegiate Conference doubleheader on a rainy Friday at Ken Charipar Field.

Viterbo held a 1-0 lead after one inning of the second game before it was called by rain. It will be continued at noon Sunday prior to a scheduled doubleheader.

First baseman Patrick Haney had three hits and scored a run. Former Linn-Mar standout Ben Larson had two hits, driving home both runs with RBI singles in the fourth and sixth.

Jenks takes Drake 3000 for 3rd time

DES MOINES - Linn-Mar star Stephanie Jenks expects to lose a race at the 106th Drake Relays this weekend, but don't be alarmed.

It won't be one of her special distance races.

Jenks reigned supreme in the 3000 meter run for the third straight year Thursday and she'll be heavily favored to capture the 1500 for the third straight year Saturday.

It's the 400 hurdles that will probably trip her up, but that's understandable. Jenks is a novice at the event and Sarah Plock of Iowa City High is a two-time champ.

In fact, Plock teased Jenks in an e-mail about their "confrontation" in Des Moines.

Jacobus falling in love with decathlon

DES MOINES - Derek Jacobus was a four-sport athlete during his days at Kennedy High School, but that was child's play compared to what he's doing now.

Jacobus has become a decathlete in his first year at the University of Northern Iowa, which means he has to concentrate on 10 different events at the same time.

He competed in his first decathlon Wednesday and Thursday at the Drake Relays and finished a respectable 14th out of 25 contestants.

"First ever," he said with a smile, "and I'm competing with All-Americans."

Timauntay Jones, a Cedar Rapids Jefferson grad, placed fifth in the men's 800 meter run Thursday in 1:51.27 for Oklahoma State.