Spartans prepare for track and field season
Last season was challenging for the Exira-EHK girls varsity team, but this year’s group is ready for the new season beginning in a few weeks.
“We are excited to get going,” said Spartans Head Coach Cory Bartz. “The girls are looking forward to continuing to improve from last season.”
Last season, the girls had a roster of six members, which included Macy Emgarten, Shay Burmeister, Gracie Bartz, Gemini Goodwin, Ella Petersen and Ruby VanderWal. Emgarten has graduated and a new face is joining the team this season in Sophomore Harlee Fahn.
Goodwin led the Spartans in multiple categories including the 100 meter dash with a time of 15.08, the 200 meter dash with a time with 30.62 and the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:09.44.
Burmeister led the way in 100 meter hurdles and the long jump with a time of 20.57 and a jump of 12-09.50. In the 3000 meter running event, VanderWal led with a time of 15:10.75.
The girls team this season will have less than 10 members, preventing them from competing in certain events.
“We are limited in the number of events that we can fill,” Bartz said.
Last season, the Spartans took home second place in the Nodaway Valley Girl’s Track Meet April 4, their highest finish. They also took home sixth place in the Gregg Beam/Hawkeye Co-Ed Invitational April 22, 12th place at the Bob Clark Relays April 26, 12th place at the Tri-Center Girls Trojan Relays May 9 and 12th at the 1A-1 Audubon event May 12.
Every season is different and Bartz has emphasized what’s going to be key to this season.
“A big focus this year will be on confidence and finishing through the pain,” he said.
With such a small roster, Bartz is relying on the whole team to be leaders, work together throughout the long season ahead and pick each other up.
“They all share that role and feed off each other's successes,” he added.