MADRID — Throughout the track season, the South Hamilton track and field teams have been sharpening themselves by facing larger schools, competing at larger meets and testing the mettle within the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference.

That method of scheduling paid off immensely for the Hawks by the time they had left the Class 1A-District 6 State Qualifying Meet last Thursday in Madrid. It paid off so much that the South High girls clinched a team title, while the Hawks took fourth in a loaded boys’ side of the meet.

The girls claimed a banner for the rafters with a total score of 97 points, edging out Wayne of Corydon’s 93 points, through the efforts of senior Kate Barkema, sophomore Sydnee Flaugh, junior Tanna Thompson and junior Ashlyn Erickson.

Together, they won the 4×100-meter relay (51.70 seconds), 4×200-meter relay (1:49.40) and the Sprint Medley (1:54.25).

Barkema also earned an individual berth by posting second in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.08 seconds, while freshman Isabel Swenson acquired her first trip to the Blue Oval in the high jump with a clearance of four feet, 10 inches.

Freshman Daytona Ferrie also earned a state berth in the discus throw, slinging the disc for a distance of 101 feet, six inches.

The South High boys — who finished only behind Madrid, Earlham and Baxter in the team standings — were spearheaded by the group of sophomore Nick Severseike, junior Jonathan Drake, freshman Kolby Hodnefield and junior Ty Koehnk. Collectively, the Hawks won the Sprint Medley relay with a time of 1:39.03.

Hodnefield, Koehnk and Severseike teamed up with junior Reece Ricke for the Distance Medley, taking second and earning a state berth with a time of 3:41.23. The combination of Hodnefield, Ricke, Severseike and Koehnk also joined forces for the 4×200-meter relay, winning the race with a time of 1:34.01.

The same team topped the field in the 4×400-meter relay, as well, winning the race with a time of 3:32.01.

Senior Landon Grove acquired a spot at the Blue Oval, taking second overall in the long jump with a distance of 20 feet, seven and a half inches. Teammate Carter Balvanz got the ticket to Drake Stadium, as well, earning runner-up status in the discus throw with a distance of 139 feet, two inches.

Both South Hamilton teams, each well represented, will take part in the Iowa High School Track & Field Championships, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, Grove will compete in the long jump, while Barkema will test herself in the preliminary round of the Class 1A 100-meter dash at 12:50 p.m. Should Barkema qualify for the finals, she will race for greater glory at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Ferrie starts off Friday with her event, set for 9 a.m. The Distance Medley team has their race at 9:40 a.m, followed by the 4×200-meter relay teams at 11 a.m. (girls) and 11:30 a.m. (boys) Also, at 11:30 a.m., Balvanz will compete in the discus throw, while Swenson aims to leap over the bar in the high jump.

The 4×100-meter relay teams will engage in prelims at 12:40 p.m. (girls) and 1 p.m. (boys). Should either South High team advance, they will race at 3:25 p.m. (girls) and 3:40 p.m. (boys) on Saturday.

The South High boys’ 4×400-meter relay team will race in prelims at 1 p.m. Should they advance to the finals, the Hawks will seek medals 4:20 p.m. on Saturday.

The Hawk girls’ Sprint Medley team is also tabbed to race at 9 a.m. on Saturday.