Coming off a Grand Champion Season, the 25 girls on Marian's track team are off to a fast start. This year's team is dedicated to giving their time, effort, and commitment to the sport.
The girls have been training hard every day after school for. The coaches include a variety of training techniques during practice. Training consists of distance running for endurance, sprint timings, ladders for speed, ply-metrics for quickness, weight circuit training for strength, and using a variety of approaches. "We started out pretty strong, and our times are beginning to improve as we work harder," said sophomore captain Anna Jones.
Coaches are a strong aspect of a well balanced team. This year's team is coached by Ms. Rochelle Rholfs, Ms. Ronda Motykowski, and Mr. Dan Lotspeich. Dedication not only comes from the team, but also from the coaches as well. "Each coach has a group to focus with, we get a lot of one-on-one," said freshman Jenny Edney.
Track consists of several different events including distance events, sprint events, the long jump. the high jump, and hurdle events. Maria's team has strong points in each of these. "We have a good distance team and the sprint team is making great strides this year," said junior distance runner Katie Lotspeich.
Sophomore sprinter Mary Lenz feels that the team has come a long way, "We have a new group this year and we're starting to work together, but I'm pleased with what we've accomplished so far."
Freshman high jumper Erin Kraft feels things are really coming together for the jumping team, "Coach Motykowski has helped us with our technique, formation, and strength since the beginning of the season."
A balanced team is necessary for a state qualifying team. "The training techniques all work together and work with different aspects to create athletes who are in peak shape and who will do their best," said Coach Dan Lotspeich.
Both Coach Motykowski and the captains agree that strong depth comes from the freshmen. "The freshmen are really helping us out, I know they will pull through for us at state," said Jones.
So far, the team has performed well at meets. They placed 3rd at the Kearney Invitational, and 3rd at the Dick Jones Central Invitational. Junior middle distance runner Ali Jones recently broke the 400 meter dash Marian school record at the Central Invitational. The 21 year old record was shattered with the new time of 59.81 sec. "I was really excited because that was a pretty good time for this early in the season, and I hope to improve it," said Jones.
Marian athletes hold three of the fastest times in the state, in individual and relay events. Freshman distance runner Laura Spanheimer holds the stateUs fastest times in the two mile and 800 meter events. RIts a great feeling but I never let it affect my races in competitions,S said Spanheimer. Marian also holds the fastest time in the state for the 3200 meter relay of Amy Sibbernson, Laura Spanheimer, Ali Jones, and Anna Jones.
High goals are expected from this year's team. Both coaches and
athletes have expectations toward the state meet. "We will qualify for
state, and do well at districts. Our strength is in jumping events,
sprints, and middle distance," said Coach Rholfs.