Assumption, Tipton finish 1-2 in girls distance medley at state

Davenport Assumption moved into first place in the Class 2A team standings temporarily when it won the distance medley in the opening event of the Iowa girls track and field state meet Friday morning at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

The Knights beat Tipton to the finish line by 2.5 seconds, kicking off what could be a battle for the team championship between those two squads and a one or two others. Later in the morning, Tipton took third in 800-meter relay, with Camanche and Assumption in the next two spots. North Polk won the event, creating a tight three-team battle for the top spot. North Polk led with 23 points, Assumption was second with 22 and Tipton was third with 20.

"This is what's going to set the table for us," Assumption coach Tim O'Neill said, referring to Thursday's finals and preliminary events.

Assumption's runners in the championship relay was Katie Merritt, Steph Quinn, Jordan Ricciuti and Amanda Brandt.