By Kelly West Click for Caption

She's even better as a conversationalist.

Well-spoken, intelligent and always willing to speak, the sophomore from Iowa City High is a wonderful quote machine. Sometimes, her best material isn't the result of a broad vocabulary. Sometimes, it's the simple stuff.

"This team is something special," she said Saturday.

Simple. And accurate.

City High dominated the eight-team Xavier Invitational for the third straight year, winning seven events and accumulating 147 points. Cedar Rapids Washington was second with 103, followed by Clinton (60) and Xavier (52).

Nine meet records fell on a gorgeous, sun-splashed day at Saints Field, including four by the Little Hawks.

"For this time of year, we accomplished everything we could have hoped," said City High Coach Terry Coleman. "We got some events solidly qualified for the Drake Relays.

"And we're still waiting for a meet in which we have everybody healthy."

Funk anchored the Little Hawks to a meet-record 9:37.76 in the 3,200-meter relay, then won the 1,500 in 4:45.65.

That 1,500 time is virtually identical to the effort rival Jeni Frudden of Iowa City West posted two nights before.

"Of course I keep track of that," Funk said. "Everybody on this team is aware of what the state leaders are running in their events. We want to know how we stack up."

Maya Monitto-Webber was part of two record-setting events.

She won the 100-meter hurdles in 15.25 seconds, then anchored the shuttle hurdle relay to a clocking of 1:04.77.

Jessica Elliott established a discus record with a fling of 125 feet 9 inches.

City High won the sprint medley relay and got a gold from Rachel Manuel in the 3,000.

Ashley Williams of Linn-Mar was a triple-winner, resetting her meet record in the 400 (1:00.25) and winning the 200.

The biggest treat came in the 1,600-meter relay, the day's best race. Williams got the baton an instant after City High's Monica Mims, passed her with 300 meters left, then held her off at the end.

Linn-Mar's foursome of Nicole Novy, Marissa Becker, Brooke Rhatigan and Williams was timed in a meet-record 4:05.66. The Little Hawks finished in 4:06.50.

"We were hoping for 4:04, but this is great," Williams said. "I passed Monica when I did because I was scared I was going to spike her. So I went on around so I could go a little faster."

Linn-Mar won the Class 3A state championship in the 1,600-meter relay a year ago.

"I think we have a chance again, considering (Becker) is just a sophomore and hadn't run this before," Williams said. "We've just got to get her some confidence and get her pumped up."

Washington's Laneisha Waller topped her meet record by nearly 2 feet in the long jump, leaping a season-best 18-6. She won the 100-meter dash in 12.48 seconds.

Amanda Faas claimed the 400-meter hurdles in 1:06.09, a career-best.

"I'm in a lot better shape than I was last year," she said. "I've kind of realized that I don't get another chance. This is my senior year, and I have to make this count."

Xavier's Megan Glover won the 800 (2:23.66) and was second to Funk in the 1,500.

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