Stemper, Relays Lead Record-Setting Weekend for Decorah

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today DES MOINES and MASON CITY, Iowa — Decorah athletes set multiple school records during a weekend meet in Des Moines and competed in challenging conditions at Mason City on April 27. Mitchell Stemper broke the school record in the 800 meters, finishing in 1 minute, 54.41 seconds. The 4x400-meter relay team of Max Grimstad, Davis Walter, Bennett Coppola and Stemper set a school record with a time of 3:20.04. Seeded ninth entering the meet, the group finished sixth to qualify for finals and placed eighth overall. The 4x800 relay team of Garrett See, Coppola, Clarence Nimrod and Stemper also set a school record, finishing in 7:51.03 and placing seventh. The 4x100 relay team of Landon Quandahl, Peyton Webb, Trevor Kuennen and Walter competed in preliminaries but did not advance to finals. "It was a bittersweet ending, but as I've said after every meet this year, we are building for May," coach Brian Waskow said. "We'll be back in a couple of weeks ready to accomplish what we've been working toward." At the Mason City meet on April 27, athletes competed in cold and windy conditions following a season already defined by the momentum disruption of several canceled meets. "The kids fought through the adversity and did what they could," Waskow said. "It was good to get them more experience with some of the canceled meets this year." With one regular-season meet remaining, the team continues preparing for postseason competition. Fresh stories, delivered! Sign up for the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.