Prairie Girls Track

Jessica Heims wins Metro Spotlight Award

Jessica Heims of Cedar Rapids Prairie is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday night.

Heims, a junior, represented the United States at the 2015 International Paralympic World Championships in Qatar last week. She finished fifth in the discus and also placed fifth in the 400 meter dash, posting personal records in both events.

Heims hurled the discus 82 feet, 9 inches and ran the 400 in 1 minute, 12.48 seconds.

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Heims takes 5th at World meet again

DOHA, Qatar - The big smile in the picture tells the story.

Jessica Heims of Cedar Rapids Prairie raced to a fifth-place finish in the 400-meter run at the 2015 International Paralympic World Championships in Qatar Wednesday afternoon.

She also placed fifth in the discus at the World Games on Sunday.

Heims was timed in 1 minute, 12.48 seconds in the 400, chopping nearly three seconds off her previous best. Marie-Amelie Le Fur of France won the race in 59.3 seconds. Grace Norman of the United States finished third in 1:03.83.

There are various categories for athletes at the World Championships, depending on the nature of their disability. Heims competed in the T44 category in the 400 dash.

Heims, a junior at Prairie, had the lower part of her right leg amputated within 12 months of being born due to a birth defect. She has been active in a variety of sports, including the triathlon, and competes with the Prairie girls track team.

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Jessica Heims takes 5th at world meet

DOHA, Qatar - Jessica Heims of Cedar Rapids Prairie finished fifth in the discus throw at the 2015 International Paralympic World Championships in Qatar on Sunday.

Heims had a best toss of 25.26 meters in a field of nine contestants. Juan Yao of China won the discus at 43.39 meters.

Heims, a junior at Prairie, had the lower part of her right leg amputated within 12 months of being born due to a birth defect. She has different artificial legs that she uses for running, throwing and everyday use.

Her toss Sunday of 25.26 meters converts to 82 feet, 9 inches. That topped her personal all-time best by four inches.

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Makenzie Soeken commits to Upper Iowa

Cedar Rapids Prairie senior Makenzie Soeken plans to continue her multi-sports career at Upper Iowa University.

Soeken has been a top sprinter and high jumper for the Prairie track team during her career. She has cleared 5-foot-2 in the high jump and placed sixth at the Class 4A state meet as a junior. She also has competed at the Drake Relays.

Soeken is also a key member of the Prairie volleyball team that is ranked No. 10 in Class 5A.