North Tama’s one-girl state championship is getting a big honor today! Reprinted below is a press release from the IGHSAU about Sara Stoakes being inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame. The 1981 North Tama girls’ team was the Honor Team in 1996.
Sara Stoakes collected 12 state championships and helped North Tama earn four state team titles from 2006 to 2009. She owns state championships in every individual event except the 3000 meters and the 100 hurdles. She captured two state crowns in the 100 and 200 and 400 meters. Her senior season, she won the 1A state team title by herself, scoring all 40 of North Tama’s points in winning the 400 meters, 800 meters, 400 hurdles and 1500 meters. She also was a part of a Drake Relays crown in the 4×800 meter relay as a sophomore. In addition to the 12 state titles, Stoakes was the Class 1A state champion in Cross Country in 2008. Stoakes competed collegiately at Kansas State for two years and was the Big 12 800 meter champion as a freshman and collected a Drake Relays title in the 800. Stoakes is the fourth North Tama standout to be inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame, joining Janice Ohrt (1981) along with Brooke and Blaire Dinsdale (2013).