Charlee Morton Impresses at Drake Relays Once Again

Hampton-Dumont-CAL (HDCAL) track and field star Charlee Morton competed in her third Drake Relays, finishing second in the discus throw and winning her third straight championship in shot put. On Thursday, April 24 Morton competed in the discus throw, and despite finishing second she broke the HDCAL school record for the longest discus throw, with her throw of 149 feet, 4 inches. Morton mentioned how her goal going into each meet is not necessarily to win and what it meant to break the discus throw record.

“Coming into every meet my dad and I always have a goal not to win, but to get a personal record,” said Morton. “I kind of know what I need to do in disc now just to get those big throws. I just want to focus on what I can control to make my throw better.”

The next morning on Friday Morton competed in the shot put throw, and this time she finished in first place, winning her third consecutive championship in shot put at the Drake Relays. Morton’s throw of 46 feet, 9.25 inches was also a HDCAL school record. Morton spoke on what winning three straight championships in shot put means to her. 

“It feels so great to be able to represent my community in a great way and to be only the second girl to be able to get a three-peat in shot put,” said Morton. “It’s just so great because I have been working very hard this past offseason and it shows my hard work has paid off.” 

Head coach of the Bulldogs girls track and field team, Nikki Donnenworth, was at the event to support Morton. Donnenwerth praised Morton’s work ethic and explained that she is very proud of her. 

“It’s super super special and we are really proud of her,” said Donnenworth. “Especially considering in the shot put that the top four finishers this year would have won each of the last three years. It’s not a coincidence that her throws are improving so much. What she has done for the sport and what she has done for girl’s athletics in Iowa has been pretty special.”

Morton will now refocus on the regular season with HDCAL and get ready for the state meet in May.