Iowa signee Jamie Kofron handles rain, wins 2A discus on final throw

Mother Nature took its best shot at Jamie Kofron Friday morning, altering her discus routine with relentless rain and annoying winds. The Tipton standout wasn’t going out like this. Kofron had one more heave up her sleeve.    

The Iowa signee took home the Class 2A discus title at Drake Stadium, toppling South Hardin’s Brylie Zeisneiss with a throw of 140-5. Kofron secured the crown on her final throw of the day.

“On the first two throws of finals, it was kind of hard,” Kofron said. “The discs weren’t getting dry even with my towel, so my strategy was I had a jersey that was still dry that I hid underneath my towel. And then I had another towel on top of that to try to keep the first (one dry).

“It was a mess, but it worked out in the end.”   

Rain moved the finals from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. — but the adjustment did little to slow the elements. Numerous competitors had gripping issues throughout each flight. More throws than usual sailed wide or crashed into the protective net.

None of Kofron’s first five throws cleared 130 meters. One day after finishing second to Zeisneiss in the 2A shot put, it seemed another runner-up showing was in the cards.

Kofron wasn’t having it. A dramatic ending capped her emphatic high school career.

“Going up to that last throw, I could feel underneath the towel that my hand was dry, the disc is dry — it’s going to be fine,” Kofron said. “I know I can throw enough that I needed to if the conditions were right. My hand worked, and the ring actually wasn’t too bad. I was shocked. They did a really nice job here at Drake.

“It all kind of fell into place going into that last throw. Everything was right. We just had to make it go.”

You don’t consistently find the state’s most dominant athletes in 2A, but Kofron has left her mark on Iowa’s track-and-field scene. She leaves Tipton with four Drake Relays titles and two state championships, after going back-to-back in the discus.

Nathen Anderson is used to the drama. Time after time, Tipton’s throws coach has watched Kofron save her best effort for last. It doesn’t make for easy watching. Anderson, in the end, doesn’t mind.

“She’s always been one who rises to the challenge,” Anderson said, “and has fought tooth-and-nail all four years of her career, from deciding whether she wanted to glide to the ups and downs. And then something like this, she’s always been able to answer the call. That’s something that I’ll miss.”

Anderson and all of Tipton are happy Kofron isn’t venturing far. She took in the Big Ten outdoor championships last weekend in Iowa City, getting a glimpse at what her future might be.

“I’m really excited to get to Iowa,” Kofron said. “I love the coach and I think he’s doing great things for the program — everyone on the coaching staff, really. Hung out with the team a little bit at Big Tens, getting to know them a little bit more. I’m just excited to get in Iowa City and start working.

“Ready to be the freshman again, where there’s no pressure to throw big or win meets. It’s just grinding and getting better, which is my favorite part of this sport.”    

Winning isn’t bad either. On a less than ideal day, Kofron showcased her mental toughness in abundance.  

“Mother Nature didn’t want it to be my day,” the Tipton standout said. “But it all worked out.”              

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.