SIGOURNEY – You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not the fall that hurts so much – it’s the sudden stop.”
Montezuma’s girls track team had quite a time together this spring, roaming the countryside, running and throwing in meets.
They won some. They lost some. Some got rained out.
But if you don’t qualify anyone for state in the state qualifying meet – that’s it. Fold up the team tent and head home, where it was quiet around the square.
“The (regional) track meet brings a lot of emotions and fire, as people are trying to qualify for state, and many also know that this is the last time they will get to compete in track and field,” said Bravettes Coach Megan Carlson.
It was hot and windy on Thursday, May 12, “and the temperatures and winds also provided a tough environment, for all the teams,” Carlson said.
The meet wasn’t a disaster for the Bravettes. “So many girls gave their best efforts, whether it was on the track, the field, or even helping teammates handle the extreme temperatures,” the coach said.
Distance runner Ellen Cook came very, very close to qualifying for state. She ran a personal best of 12:22.06 and placed second in the 3,000-meter run.
“The cut-off was 12:21.70,” Carlson said. If you win in a regional meet, you qualify. “Ellen’s time beat three winners from other districts,” Carlson said.
“That is not a fun place to be in, but one positive is that Ellen was able to run a personal best despite the conditions,” said her coach. “She is a determined young woman that is capable of many great things, as are so many others on this team.”
Carlson said several personal bests posted included Shanae Wetering in th shot put, Coral Lowry in the high jump, the shuttle hurdle relay team, Makenna Johannes in the 400, Kylee Larmore in the 800, Willow Young in the 800, “and several relay split times throughout the night.”
“We know we have work to do in the off-season for all of the activities at Montezuma. I know that this group will get after it and be amazing leaders for the groups to come,” Carlson said.
“A huge thank you to the seniors who have put in so much tme and brought so many great things to the team,” the coach said. “And also thank you to all the wonderful parents that sacrifice so much for the girls and team,” Carlson said.
“Our community is a special place and I am blessed to be part of it.”
GIRLS CLASS 1A STATE QUALIFIER
at Sigourney
Team points – 1, Pekin, 144.5. 7, Montezuma 46. There were 14 scoring teams.
Montezuma places, efforts
High jump – 6, Coral Lowry 4-8. Taya Sincox 4-4.
Long jump – 7, Taytin Chamberlin 12-11. 8, Hayley Burnett 12-8.
Shot put – 5, Shanae Wetering 31-5. Shiressa Wetering 26-11.
Discus – Kalynn Wanders 73-9, Shanae Wetering, 72-8.
Sprint medley – 9, MHS 2:12.86 (Coral Lowry, Kalynn Wanders, Izzy Roorda, Allyson Larmore).
3,000 – 2, Ellen Cook, 12:22.06.
4×800 – 3, MHS, 11:57.33 (Mia Boulton, Alivia Cline, Rebeka Teumer, Haley Van Der Hart).
Shuttle hurdle – 7, MHS, 1:21.38 (Taytin Chamberlin, Lydia Singleton, Jadyn Sharer, Leslie Lopez).
100 – 5, Katie Reynolds, 14:04, Taya Sincox, 15.27.
Distance medley – DQ, MHS, 5:05 (Madison Van Zee, Allyson Larmore, Camryn Brennan, Haley Van Der Hart).
400 – 8, Katie Reynolds, 69.39. Makenna Johannes, 77.82.
4×200 – 7, MHS, 2:04.75 (Shanae Wetering, Madison Van Zee, Izzy Roorda, Taya Sincox).
100 hurdles – Leslie Lopez 18.94. Lydia Singleton 20.47.
800 – Kylee Larmore 3:01.41. Willow Young 3:02.88.
200 – 5, Katie Reynolds, 29.36. Camryn Brennan 31.56.
400 hurdles – Alivia Cline 1:26.64. Ashlee Eilander 1:31.69.
1,500 – 7, Mia Boulton 6:08.51. 9, Rebeka Teumer 6:20.02.
4×100 – 6, MHS 57.17 (Coral Lowry, Camryn Brennan, Kalynn Wanders, Madison Van Zee).
4×400 – 5, MHS, 4:46.97 (Izzy Roorda, Shanae Wetering, Camryn Brennan, Ellen Cook).