By Bill Bray
FREMONT – Girl’s coach Travis Bates is counting on five quality seniors to lead the way this spring for the Lady Giants Track team.
The ladies will be looking for some youth as well as the upperclassmen to step up this season to fill the shoes left by the departure of Kimora Rapp, Ashanti Elkins, and Nadia Kirksey.
Allison Taylor is looking to do big things this year and return to state and get on the podium this time around in the pole vault. She also will be making important contributions to the middle distance and 4×800 meter relay.
Bri Morrisette and Jadyn Rozzell are both hoping to make it to state in the long jump this spring. Rozzell broke the school record last year that had held since 2012, but Morrisette is very close to her. Meanwhile Morrisette obviously expects good things in the 100 and 200 meter dashes having won the TRAC 100 meter race the last two times out. Rozzell is also going to be more of an individual this year in the long sprints rather than relays since the team is missing depth right now to put together relays that may be able to make the trip to Columbus.
Mckenna Englund has high hopes to make it to state in both the high jump and 100-meter hurdles. She was a 100-meter hurdles champion at the TRAC championships last season, and she just missed last year in a bid to make it to the state meet. She has the potential to break the high jump school record at 5’5.5” set in 2017.
Caroline Cahill has improved a lot in her strength and some small tweaks in her technique could be enough to get her some good marks in the discus and the goal is to reach the state meet.
Evelyn Szymanowski has a great shot to get the 800-meter school record held by McKela Elder of 2:16.60 set in 2019. She will also be an important part of the 4xx400 meter relay this year as well.
Some freshmen to look for are Jasmin Heidelburg in the sprints and sprint relays. Reese Smith in the discus, Ryniah Tucker in the sprint relays and Mia Durnwald in the 800 and 1600 if she gets healthy.
It is hoped that Adriane Halbisen and Mackenzie Smith continue to improve their times in the distance events and along with Taylor and Szymanowski to be a very good 4×800 meter relay.
The Lady Giants along with the men are in action today vs Oregon Clay!
