Prairie Boys Track

VanDraska will run for Hawkeyes

Tysen VanDraska could probably run from Cedar Rapids Prairie to the University of Iowa when he joins the UI track and cross country programs next year.

VanDraska, one of the top distance runners in the state, signed a national letter-of-intent with the Hawkeyes Monday morning during a ceremony at Prairie High School.

Kenzie Soeken signed with Upper Iowa at the ceremony Monday morning to play volleyball and run track for the Peacocks.

VanDraska finished second at the Class 4A state cross country meet in Fort Dodge this month. He also placed second in the 800-meter run (1:54.68) and 1,600 (4:21.70) at the Class 4A state track meet last May.

Rima claims 200 for 2nd state title

DES MOINES - Jalen Rima does not like running the 100 meter dash because it's too short. And he does not particularly care for the 400, even though he's the state champ this year.

"The 400 is just too long," he said.

In Rima's opinion, the 200 meter dash is just right - not too short and not too long. And he flashed to victory in his favorite event Saturday in 22.03 seconds at the Class 4A state meet in Des Moines.

"I like the 200, because I'm not very good coming out of the blocks and it gives me time to catch up," he remarked.

Rima won the 400 on Thursday, making him a two-time winner this year for Cedar Rapids Prairie. He also placed fifth in the 100 Saturday

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Rima claims state title in 400

DES MOINES - Jalen Rima scrunched his face and shook his head when former Cedar Rapids Prairie football coach Mike Morrissey told him to join the track team two years ago.

Rima did not want to run around in circles, but Morrissey made it perfectly clear: No track, no football.

"I wasn't going to go out my freshman year, but because of him I went out," Rima said Thursday, all smiles. "Thank god he made me."

Rima blazed to victory in the 400 meter dash in 48.85 seconds at the Class 4A state track meet in Des Moines and is now perfectly happy to run track instead of just running pass patterns.

In fact, the faster he runs in track, the more attention he gets from Division I college football teams. Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and others called Morrissey a few days after Rima ran an incredibly fast 400 meter split in a relay at the Drake Relays this year.

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Rima, VanDraska star for Prairie

DUBUQUE - Jalen Rima of Prairie strengthened his position as one of the fastest runners in the state Thursday night at the Class 4A district track meet in Dubuque.

Rima, a junior, captured the 200 meter dash in 22.07 seconds and claimed the 400 meter dash in 48.54 seconds. Both times are the fastest in the state this year. He took over the lead in the 200 and lowered his own state-best time in the 400.

Tysen VanDraska of Prairie also was a double-champion in the district meet. He won the 800 in 1:59.40 and took the 1600 in 4:29.30.

Hannah Frazee of Prairie won the girls 3000-meter run in 10:39.70.

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