Panthers gain good state meet experience

   Monticello scored points in one event and competed in several others at the State Class 2A Girls Track and Field Meet May 19-21 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

   The Panthers’ top finish came from the 4x800-meter relay team of Leah Koehler, Hailey Henderson, Lydia Recker and Marisa Kehoe. That group finished sixth with a time of 10:05.97.

   “They did not run their season’s best, but managed to come home with a medal,” Monticello coach Vallerie Lynn said. “I knew Leah was going to get bumped around on the lead leg, but I think she handled it very well and got us in a good spot.

   “Hailey ran an exceptional leg. Lydia held our spot and I think ran the best race of her career. Marissa ran a strong anchor, as she as done all season.”

   Koehler, a freshman, said she was happy with the finish.

   “At the beginning of the year my only goal was just to run at State, and it’s amazing that we actually medaled,” Koehler said.

   Recker, a senior, added: “I had confidence all year that we could do that, so it feels good to finally accomplish that.”

   Senior Cora Mescher threw 35-foot-0.5 in the shot put on Thursday to finish 12^th, making the top half of the 24-girl field.

   “I thought Cora did a great job of maintaining her composure and had the second-best throw of her career,” coach Lynn said.

   Emma Althoff and Ava Capron ran 15^th and 16^th in the 3,000, with times of 11:54.47 and 11:57.82, respectively.

   Koehler was 21^st and Althoff 23^rd in Saturday’s 1,500. Koeher finished in 5:13.61; Althoff in 5:13.78.

   Senior Emma Hynick was 24^th in the 200, in 28.16.

   “It is going to be really hard to see this group of seniors go,” the coach said. “Through all the tough times they worked hard and always wanted what was best for the team.

   “We wanted to place higher in all the events, but I still think it was a productive weekend. The younger girls are really hungry to go back next year and get some medals. I think they realized, once it was all over, that letting your nerves get the best of you doesn’t help the situation. It was good to get those girls down there so next year they can run even better.”

May 19-21

State Class 2A

Girls Track and

Field Meet

(at Drake Stadium,

Des Moines)

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     Shot put: 12, Cora Mescher, 35-0.5.

     3,000: 15, Emma Althoff, 11:54.47; 16, Ava Capron, 11:57.82.

     200: 24, Emma Hynick, 28.16.

     4x800: 6, Monticello (Leah Koehler, Hailey Henderson, Lydia Recker, Marisa Kehoe), 10:05.97.

     1,500: 21, Leah Koehler, 5:13.61; 23, Emma Althoff, 5:13.78.