Metro Sports Report

Dunn, Griffin, Stockers lead parade to state

Linn-Mar senior Kyle Dunn will be allowed to compete in the Class 4A state track meet next week despite being disqualified from an event at Thursday's district meet in Dubuque.

Dunn was disqualified Thursday for making an inappropriate remark after winning his heat of the 800-meter run. Dunn is not eligible to compete in the 800 at state due to the disqualification, but he can compete in all his other races.

Scott Mahmens, the activities director at Linn-Mar, said the disqualification does not affect Dunn's status for the rest of the meet, according to IHSAA rules.

Dunn, a three-time state champion during his prep career, has qualified for state in the 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles and 400-meter dash. He also can run on one of Linn-Mar's relay races.

The IHSAA released all the qualifiers for the state meet on its web site Friday night at www.iahsaa.org.

Will Griffin of Cedar Rapids Washington will be busy at the state meet in the 100, 200, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay as the Warriors gun for their third state title in a row.

Cedar Rapids Prairie will feature the Stocker twins, Matt and Kyle, in the 800, 1600 and relays. Sam Joens, the Drake Relays champ, will be among the favorites in the discus for Prairie.

Foreman, Piche lead Metro girls to state

Brooke Foreman of Cedar Rapids Washington and Amanda Piche of Linn-Mar top the list of Metro athletes who have qualified for the state track meet in Des Moines May 19-21.

Foreman is seeded No.1 in the state in the 400 hurdles and is among the top qualifiers in the 100 hurdles. Piche is ranked No.1 in the discus in Class 4A.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson is ranked No.1 in the 4x200 relay heading to Des Moines.

The IGHSAU released the entire list of qualifiers for the state track meet on Friday. The Union said the list is tentative until lane and heat assignments have been announced.

Clasen clears 6-foot-8 for district title

IOWA CITY - This has turned out to be an outstanding year for prep high jumpers in Iowa.

Now you can add Alec Clasen of Xavier to the list.

Clasen cleared 6-foot-8 in the high jump Thursday to capture top honors at the Class 4A district meet in Iowa City and automatically qualify for the state meet next week.

Clasen eclipsed his personal best by two full inches.

"I was feeling pretty good," he said. "The weather was a lot nicer than it has been in my other meets. I'm excited about it."

Cedar Rapids Washington won the district title by a comfortable margin with 133 points on a hot day, serving notice that the Warriors plan to make a serious run at their third state title in a row in Des Moines May 19-21.

Cedar Rapids Prairie and Cedar Rapids Kennedy also had impressive performances and will be well-represented at the state meet at Drake Stadium.

Gimpy Dunn wins 1 district title

DUBUQUE – After four grueling events, Kyle Dunn sprawled out on the Field Turf at the Rock Bowl.

You couldn’t blame the Linn-Mar standout for needing a breather.

Dunn, an Arkansas signee, had to battle through pain and exhaustion to claim one individual title Thursday at the Class 4A district track meet at Loras College.

The Lions scored 134 points to finish second in the team race. Cedar Falls won the meet with 164 points.

Individual and relay winners are guaranteed a spot in the Class 4A field. The remaining qualifiers will be decided Friday.

Dunn has been wearing a walking boot for about a week after bruising the ball of his left foot. He couldn’t stand on the foot over the weekend, but the swelling finally subsided around mid-week.

The injury changed Dunn’s outlook about districts. Instead of trying to dominate, Dunn was simply looking to qualify and buy extra time.

“Hopefully, I can bust out a few good times at state,” Dunn said.