Arp hopes to build off freshman campaign
IKM-Manning student and multi-sport athlete Karlee Arp just finished her freshman season, when she played volleyball, basketball, track & field and softball.
Softball recently ended for the Wolves when they lost to their Western Iowa rival, the AHSTW Vikings in the Class 2A – Region 2 tournament game June 30. During volleyball season, the Wolves finished with a 2-23 record, losing to the Vikings Oct. 17 in the Class 2A Region 3 First Round Tournament Game.
During softball, Arp finished the season with a .176 batting average, knocking in six runs with nine hits and 18 runs scored. In volleyball, she had 31 kills with 10 assists and had a serve efficiency rate of 84.4%.
“Softball this year was a little disappointing, but we’re going to work hard in the offseason,” Arp said. “Volleyball, also a little disappointing, but this year our team hopefully is going to be a lot better and our teamwork is going to improve a lot.”
However, in track and field, Arp finished in the top five on her team for fastest 100 meter dash with 14.38, third place in 200 meter dash with 29.78, fifth place in 400 meter dash with 1:12.07 and fourth place in 100 meter hurdles with 21.60.
“Track was super fun,” Arp said. “The team was really close and we had really good senior leadership, same with basketball. We hope to continue getting better and keep having fun in that.”
In basketball, Arp only played six games with four points, seven rebounds and one assist, but still has fond memories with her teammates that she hopes to build on in the coming years.
Arp felt she was taught some life lessons during her first year of high school sports that she hopes to use to improve herself moving forward.
“Connecting with people teaches you how to work as a team, and these sports aren’t by yourself,” she said. “You have to work hard and one player isn’t going to win the game.”
Arp credits her coaches, Joy Gross, Gene Rasmussen, McKaylie Croghan and Emma Konkler-Petersen for all the help and guidance they’ve given her.
“I think the coaches are super nice and they push us in the best ways,” she added. “Personally, I really like all of our coaches, and I think they treat us really well. They’re with us, they stand with us and they don’t just give up.”
Arp comes from a strong family background and credits them for the love and support they give her in her sporting endeavors.
“My family is probably the biggest supporters I have,” Arp said. “They’re super sweet. They really push me to where I am today, and without them I would not be where I am.”