By Megan Carlson
Head girls track coach
The district (state qualifier) meet is a bittersweet experience. You have girls who are at an all-time high and others who have worked just as hard, but know that their seasons and possibly track careers have ended.
We had highs and lows, but this group has earned some more chances to compete. At the end of an extremely windy night, the Bravettes knew one event was headed to Drake Stadium, but later found out three more events would be competing at the State meet as well.
Chloe Snook was a perfect four-for-four in qualifying for state, which is the most she has qualified in one season for her career.
We were blessed to run at a great track with wind pushing the 100m dash girls, and even though she finished third, she PRed by .3. Chloe will have a great lane to run in at the State meet!
The next qualifying event was the 4×200, where the Bravettes ran away with a three-second personal best and a two-second win over the next closest team.
This was the first time all season these four girls have been able to run this relay together, due to injury and other circumstances. I am glad they were able to put it all together, and I know they have even more in the tank.
This group is made up of Vivian Cook, Sydnee Burgess, Ryanne Williams, and Chloe Snook. Chloe also finished third in the 200 and was the last qualifying spot, but she is back to state for the third time in this event.
The last qualifying event was the 4×100, which ran another season best, finished second, and will be able to put it together even better next week at the State Meet.
The 4×100 is put together with Lily Ferry, Sydnee Burgess, Ryanne Williams, and Chloe Snook. Overall, it was great for those girls headed to the state meet, but there were a few other events that were close to the cut-off.
The Distance Med Relay finished in 4th, just a little off their season best time, but overall they were #28 in the State on District Night, and the top #24 made it to the blue oval.
This was especially hard, as this was a strong relay anchored by an outstanding senior track runner, Ellen Cook. Ellen was also able to run in the 1,500 and 800, where she was just outside again in qualifying for state.
Ellen has run her best track this season, and she will be missed so much next year. It is especially hard when you look at some other districts, and she would have had the time to win three events in different districts.
I know she has some great running ahead of her, but I am sad that it won’t be in a Montezuma uniform.
The night brought the conclusion to Hayley Burnett’s track career. Hayley is a very talented dancer who had to miss some meets due to her dancing, but we supported her and knew that she would always do her best when she was competing on the track.
Both Hayley and Ellen have been outstanding teammates, leaders, and just wonderful people to coach and get to know over the past four years. I wish them the best as they move forward in all they do!
Some outstanding performances of the night included Kami Mathes, who continued to do her job and fight for this team. She is one of the toughest kids on the team, and we are blessed to have her!
Hayden Sutherland posted another personal best in the 100 Hurdles, and I know that she has so much more in her. I hope she continues to work hard and improve in the off-season, and she will be a headache for other teams.
Lauryn Larmore continued to fight and ran some great splits throughout the night.
Letisia Wilson has grown so much this season, and we are excited to see what she can do in the future.
The throwers’ crew was solid in the discus, with Sophia finishing 4th and Mya in 8th. This was the first time in over 15 years that two Bravettes placed in the top 8 at a district meet in a throwing event.
I know these girls can make some noise in the throwing events, if they keep after it!
Overall, we are blessed with so many amazing kids, and I could talk about them all for a long time. I want to thank all of them for leaving it all on the track for this district meet. They represented Montezuma well.