Athleticism returns for Clarke girls track and field in their first season under the leadership of boys coach turned girls coach Kyle Eckerman.
Gone are hurdle extraordinaires Solanna and Bailey Zimmerman, both state qualifiers as individuals in the 100 meter hurdles and the fourth-place in Class 2A shuttle hurdle relay, but back are the likes of Chynna Beydler and Ashlynn Oehlert, both of whom Eckerman expects to compete for those 100 meter hurdle openings.
Each Zimmerman had been on the shuttle hurdle unit in their four years of school and Solanna finished fifth in the 100 meter hurdles. Those missing spots leaves a gap that needs to be filled by one of the 22 athletes on the roster this year.
“I think we’ll be alright. It might just take a while for us to find our groove,” Eckerman said.
Beydler, Oehlert and fellow junior Sarah Davis will have loads of responsibility heaped upon their backs, and Davis will be counted on especially more after impressive showings at Graceland’s indoor meet Friday. Eckerman will count on Davis in explosive sprinting events in individual and relay events.
Caitlin Clark, a state qualifier in her freshman year in the 400 meter dash, returns as an important factor in several to-be-determined slots in the lineup.
Chelsea Selsor, a recent Waldorf University commit, has shown that her strong cross country season has helped her to build on her shorter running, where she will run middle and long distance races for the Lady Indians.
Joining Selsor in distance events will be the likes of Anna Farlow, and Kaitlyn Donaldson.
Athletic runners like Hayley Gilbert, Taylor Short, Kiaya Dunbar will also look to leave their mark.
Eckerman is also impressed with what he has seen from freshmen throwers Tori White and Kaitlyn Halsband.
One problem the girls have run into is not being able to get as much practice outside to see where everyone will fit into the lineup. Eckerman expects to make plenty of changes throughout the season.
“The weather hasn’t cooperated this year,” Eckerman noted. “It has been one of the more rainier years in years past. You want to get to there and you can only do so much inside…hopefully we get some nice weather.”
The Lady Indians begin their season today (Thursday) in their home meet.
Roster
Seniors: Hayley Gilbert, Chynna Beydler, Aryanna Lanier, Taylor-Dawn Miler, Chelsea Selsor
Juniors: Sarah Davis, Alexis Jensen, Audrey Kindred, Chelsea Mendez, Ashlynn Oehlert
Sophomores: Caitlin Clark, Anna Farlow, Hollie Miler, Taylor Short
Freshmen: Emma Bolton, Kaitlyn Donaldson, Kiaya Dunbar, Hailee Fry, Kaitlyn Halsband, Tori Olson, Chaley Selsor, Tori White