Track Team Ready For Districts

Meghann Longo

After a winning season, the track team finishes up tomorrow with Districts at Omaha Benson High School and ends its season May 22 and 23 with the State Track Meet at Burke High School. Katy Weller, Mary Lenz, Amy McKenna, Liz Lenihan, Ali Jones, Anna Jones, Laura Spanheimer, Katie Lotspeich, Christine Gordon, Mary Timmerman, Amy Sibernsen, Lindsay Kelly, Breonna Kellogg, Katie Stanzel, Abby Barr, and Kristine Lanspa will compete tomorrow in various events. Coach Miss Rochelle Rohlfs said, RWe hope to qualify more people to go to state this year than have qualified in the past nine to ten years.S These runners have practiced nearly hours prior to these big meets. They practice from 3:30 to 5:00 everyday after school. Freshman runner Kristine Lanspa said, RI think the practices prepare me for all the events. Every other day we altenate with sprints and distance.S The team has been very successful this year. Because of the success of prior meets, the team feels that they are ready for Districts and State. Christine Gordon, senior, said, RI think we will be ready to compete at the big meets, and do well because we have returners and a young team, too.S She is one of the runners representing Marian at Districts. She said that in order to run at Districts, a lot of things are put into consideration. The top three Marian runners will run at Districts. They are chosen by having the quickest times and the most consistent performances. Marian also can compete in one relay which is made up of the fastest four runners. This year Marian also has girls participating in field events. Freshmen Katie Stanzel and Abby Barr will compete in the high jump event jumping nearly four feet ten inches. Freshman Breonna Kellogg and sophomore Lindsay Kelly participate in the long jump event covering a distance of nearly 16 feet. The team is coached by Miss Rohlfs, Ms. Ronda Motykowski, and Mr. Dan Lotspiech who have previously led runners at Marian to earn gold medals at the state meet. RThis team is the hardest working team ever and there is more potential than ever,S said Miss Rohlfs.