Coach Megan Carlson has built Montezuma’s girls track program into one that meshes with other Bravettes athletic programs and occasionally is a team threat in the Class 1A state meet.
She gets a lot of girls to come out for the sport.
“Being a small school, we need all of our kids to focus on getting better throughout the year, not just during favorite seasons,” she said.
“This year’s group is committed to that growth mindset,” Carlson said.
Carlson is working with 34 girls – a strong number – and it appears there are capabilities up and down the lineup.
Senior sprinter Katie Reynolds qualified for state in the 100- and 200-meter dashes last season.
A strong group of middle and distance runners return. Last fall, the Bravettes won their third straight SICL cross country championship, and most good track teams are laden with stsrong middle and distance runners.
Carlson called the Bravettes “a fun roster of girls that are working hard and excited to get better.”
“I have not coached many teams with so many nice, hard-working girls and I love coming to practice with them every day,” the coach said. “This group pushes each oher and is willing to do the little things to make practices go smoothly.”
Montezuma is scheduled to open its season with a multi-school meet on Monday, March 28, at Belle Plaine.
“With so many girls, it will take some time for all of them to find spots where they can help the team achieve success,” Carlson said.
“There will be some trial an error, but I am confident they will adapt, she said.”
By doing so, they can help more than one Montezuma team.
“I am blessed to have these amazing girls and I hope they continue to improve throughout the season – for the track season as well as the other activities they compete in,” she said.
Below are the Bravettes, by class, and the areas they are working in as the season begins:
Bravettes Track
Seniors
Jade Benedict, throws/sprints.
Allyson Larmore, throws, sprints.
Linnea Gusic, sprints.
Katie Reynolds, sprints.
Rebeka Teumer, distances, hurdles.
Haley Van Der Hart, middle distances.
Shanae Wetering, throws, sprints.
Juniors
Mia Boulton, middle distances.
Kalynn Wanders, sprints, throws.
Sophomores
Samantha Bos, throws, sprints.
Camryn Brennan, sprints.
Taytin Chamberlin, sprints.
Alivia Cline, middle distances, hurdles.
Ashlee Eilander, distances, hurdles.
Makenna Johannes, sprints, middle distances.
Aja Kapayou, hurdles, middle distances.
Laila Kercheval, sprints.
Coral Lowry, jumps, hurdles.
Isabella Roorda, sprints.
Jadyn Sharer, sprints, hurdles.
Lydia Singleton, sprints, hurdles.
Madison Van Zee, sprints.
Freshmen
Hayley Burnett, hurdles, sprints.
Ellen Cook, distances.
Lizzie De Jong, manager.
Emily James, sprints, hurdles.
Kylee Larmore, sprints, middle distances.
Leslie Lopez, sprints, hurdles.
Addyson Probasco, sprints, hurdles.
Taya Sincox, sprints, jumps.
Gracelynn Strayer, throws.
Shiressa Wetering, throws.
Tayler Wickham, throws.
Taylor Wilcox, throws, sprints.
Willow Young, sprints.