DES MOINES — Katy Stephens bent over and grabbed her shorts, sweat glistening off her body on a sun-swept Thursday afternoon at the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium.

The University of Northern Iowa athlete was spent after giving it her all in the 800-meter run, the final event of the heptathlon.

For Stephens, a Notre Dame High School graduate, there was no better feeling in the world.

In her first heptathlon, Stephens finished ninth with 4,625 points.

That was after her worst day in the javelin. And her least favorite event — the 800.

For Stephens, it only goes up from here.

“We got super lucky with a couple nice days. It’s fun. I really like how it’s split up. We add a couple events that I like — a little javelin and the 200. It’s been a fun weekend. Super great group,” Stephens said. “It’s tough on your body, but it’s fun. It’s a great time.”

Stephens came into the day 12th with 2,731 points.

On Wednesday, Stephens was 15th in the 100 hurdles in 16.30 seconds, eighth in the high jump at 5-feet-4 1/4 inches, ninth in the shot put at 34-6 1/4 and 14th in the 200 in 26.93.

On Thursday, Stephens started the day with the long jump. She placed 12th with a best of 17-8 3/4 on her second attempt. She went 17-5 1/4 on her first attempt, then scratched her third try on one that looked to be over 18 feet.

She followed that up with her worst performance in the javelin. Throwing into a stiff headwind, Stephens went 118 feet on her first attempt, then 84-3 as the javelin slipped from her hand on her release. He final throw went 108-3, putting her fourth in the event and vaulting her to 10th in points with 3,992.

“I didn’t get the mark that I wanted, exactly, but definitely not a bad start to Day 2,” Stephens said. “Long jump and javelin both. I’ve done better and I know I can do better. Coming in after (Wednesday’s) events makes this a little tougher. It’s something that I will have to get used to, but something that will be OK.”

That left Stephens with just 20 minutes to recover for the 800, the event which has been most difficult for her to adjust to.

Stephens was a sprinter and jumper for West Burlington-Notre Dame and 400 meters was the furthest she had run competitively until this season.

Stephens paced herself near the back of the field for her first lap, then worked her way up to 11th in 2:34.87, her best 800 time. She took five seconds off her previous best time and 30 seconds off her first 800.

“I’m really happy with that one. That 800 is a rough one,” Stephens said. “Our coach was kind of giving us the ideal game plan, kind of taking it 200 at a time. For me, I’m just trying to finish it every time. Really, this was my fourth 800 and it’s been getting better every time. Not much more than I can ask for.”

Stephens already is bigger, stronger and faster than a year ago. The Panthers’ demanding workout schedule is doing wonders for her.

“We work out every day, lifting three times a week. It’s more than I’m used to, but it helps for sure. Going through two days and seven events, it’s tough,” Stephens said. “A couple days a week we do jumps. On Mondays, we start out with some speed work, maybe get a throw in and lift.

“On Tuesdays, they like to do high jump or long jump and get a throw in. On Wednesday, we hurdle and lift. Thursday, high jump and maybe throw. On Friday, we do some more speed work, blocks. Saturdays we do some speed endurance, maybe six 150s.”

Shaina Burns won the heptathlon with 5,932 points, followed by Alex Gochenour (5,746) and Jordan Gray (5,742).

In her first heptathlon, Stephens proved she could compete with some of the best women who have years of experience.

For Stephens, the sky truly is the limit.

“They’re fun to watch, but I’m right there with a couple of them. They’ve been doing this for a long time. With this being just my first time doing this, I’m really, really excited to see where I can go from here. It helps me push to knowing what I can do, just getting better every day,” Stephens said. “I’m getting close to being on the all-time list for a couple events.

“I think that’s a good one to start off with. Placing at conference is always a big one. Eventually ending up at nationals would be good.

“With all the work we’ve put in and all the improvement I’ve made this year, I don’t think it’s unattainable.