The countdown is on for the 2026 Iowa high school state track and field championships, and the Ames area is bringing serious firepower to Drake Stadium. A total of 122 athletes from seven local high schools have qualified across 92 events, setting the stage for an unforgettable three-day showdown from May 21-23 in Des Moines.

Leading the charge, the Ames girls are poised for a massive weekend. Twenty individuals will compete in 16 events, including a clean sweep of all seven relay qualifiers. The Little Cyclones also boast 11 athletes in nine individual events, showcasing remarkable depth across the board.

Keep an eye on the shuttle hurdle relay, where Angelica Attinger, Shelby Esslinger, Elia Varghese, and Sophia Hatcher have already posted the fifth-fastest qualifying time at 1:04.90. Three of those four runners were part of last year's sixth-place team at state, so experience is on their side. The 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800 relays also look strong, though lineup adjustments are expected as the team fine-tunes its strategy heading into the big meet.

With the qualifying meet behind them, these athletes are now focused on peak performance under the lights at Drake. Whether you're tracking relay splits or individual breakthroughs, this year's state meet promises plenty of heart-stopping moments from the Ames-area contingent.