Despite the weather, sickness and injuries, the junior high girl’s track team had a very successful season. They managed to win their own Belle Plaine invitational and ended the season with a great performance at Montezuma to win that invitational also.

“What a great bunch of girl’s to coach!” Coach Reece Dodd said. “The girls really complimented one another. We were solid in the field events, hurdles and short and long distance events. Just a pleasure to coach

“Here are the events we ran at and the team results:

Iowa Valley: Team scores not kept

Belle Plaine: 1^st

Gladbrook-Reinbeck: 5^th

English Valleys: 3^rd

CC/Amana 8^{th –} 5^th

CC/Amana 7^{th –} 5^th

Montezuma: 1^st

Here is a list of the team members and the events they ran in this season:

8^th graders:

Kayla Bergom – 7 Flight hurdles, 200 hurdles

Dani Chilcote – 200, 400, and 800’s

Emily Coover – 7 Flight hurdles, 200 hurdles, 200’s

Darian Griffith – 100 and 200’s, 7 Flight hurdles, 200 hurdles,  long jump

Kaley Hamilton – 200, 400 and 800’s

Taylor Janss – sprinter and long jumper, injured throughout the year

Julie Long – 200, 400 and 800’s

Nikki Lown – 100 and 200’s

Cheyann Markham – 100 and 200’s, 7 Flight hurdles, shot put and discus

Nettie Miller – 100, 200, 400 and 800’s, long jump

Molly O’Brien – 100 and 200’s, 7 Flight hurdles

Jamie Rich – 200, 400 and 800’s, discus

Breanna Robertson – 100 and 200’s

Melissa Stull – 100 and 200’s, shot put

Nicole Thys – 100, 800 and 1500, high jump and long jump

Paige Wiese – Manager

7^th graders:

Taylor Arens – 800 and 1500, high jump

Rachel Blink – 800’s, discus and shot put

Alivia Buch – 100 and 200’s

Brialy Carlson – 800 and 1500

Bailey Chekal – 100, 200 and 400’s, 7 Flight hurdles and high jump

Destiny Dunning – 100 and 200’s

Larissa Fowler – 100 and 200’s, shot put

Shayla Hinschberger – 100 and 200’s, 7 Flight and 200 hurdles, long jump

Katie Rich – 200, 400 and 800’s, discus

Justice Yilek – 400, 800 and 1500, high jump

“The 8^th graders will be missed!,” Dodd said “They are good athletes with a lot of heart and a very enjoyable group to coach. They have had a lot of success in their two years of track and hope they continue to participate in track at the high school level next year. If they stay at it and keep working hard, they can achieve anything they put their minds to. I hate to see them go but I know Coach Mantz will be happy to see them. Good Luck girls, it’s been a pleasure!!

“The 7^th graders had a very strong year also. What they lack in numbers is a good selection of athletes in all aspects of track. They have short sprinters, long sprinters and long distance runners. Every field event has a solid performer and a couple of superb hurdlers. With some help from next year’s 7^th graders, these ladies can achieve even more success in 2010. I hope each and everyone of them continues to participate next year. I can’t wait!!”

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Members of the 2009 Belle Plaine Junior High girls track team, shown below, include, Front row (lt. to rt.): Breanna Robertson, Destiny Dunning, Brialy Carlson, Shayla Hinschberger, Larissa Fowler, Alivia Buch, Taylor Arens, Darian Griffith. Second row: Kayla Bergom, Nicole Thys, Melissa Stull, Cheyann Markham, Julie Long, Kaley Hamilton, Jamie Rich, Nikki Lown. Third row: Justice Yilek, Molly O’Brien, Emily Coover, Dani Chilcote, Nettie Miller, Taylor Janss, Bailey Chekal, Rachel Blink, manager Paige Weise. Not pictured: Katie Rich.