Filling in the blanks

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

CNA sports writer Returning three state qualifying runners from 2007, the Creston girls track team looks to improve off of the best finish in school history at the state coed track meet. The Panthers return three runners who competed at the state meet last year — senior Meghin Krambeck, junior Nicole Hunter and sophomore Taylor Geary. Krambeck, Hunter and Geary were all on the second-place sprint medley relay while Krambeck and Hunter were both on the state qualifying shuttle hurdle. Each of the three also placed in individual events at state. Creston lost two seniors from the shuttle hurdle — Mary McCracken and Erica Wilson, along with a few other seniors, but one name is noticeably missing from this 2008 team. Stephanie Nordyke ran three events at the state meet last year, placing fourth in the 100, qualifying in the 200 and was also a part of that second-place sprint medley team. But since the last season, Nordyke has moved and that leaves a gaping hole for Creston girls track coach Mike Gerleman. “She was a major factor in our sprint relays and I’d prefer to have her on my squad because I have no replacement,” said Gerleman, who enters his 21st year as head coach. “She ran a 25 in the 200 and she always placed high in the 100. She’s not here and we have to move on, but you don’t have somebody of that caliber and not miss her.” Strengths The Panthers will be led by Iowa State women’s track signee Krambeck as a sprinter and high jump, along with hurdling events. “She’s pretty special,” said Gerleman. “I’ve coached 34 years — 32 here and I’ve never had anyone like that. She’s obviously a solid person to build around.” Joining Krambeck in the sprint events will be Geary and Hunter, along with seniors Lauren Grose and Josie Krings. Junior Kayla Byers and sophomore C.J. Pettegrew will also compete for time in the individual sprints, along with that fourth position in the sprint medley relay. Going to the other spot of strong emphasis for Gerleman is the hurdles. Two of four hurdlers return from last year’s state qualifying shuttle hurdle team, with four others competing for time — seniors Candace Weeda and Sarah Studer, along with sophomores Jill Johnson and Geary. Depth Unlike most years, Creston finds its depth this season in the middle distance and long-distance runners. The Panthers are led by junior Dana Miller and freshman Christy Stevens in the 1,500 and 3,000. “Dana will lead the distance runners — she’s running well,” said Gerleman. “She’s coming off a good cross country season. With Christy, you never know how things will work with the transition from cross country to track, but she can help in the distance area. Senior Kristin Powell is working pretty hard too.” Laura Walter will also look for time at the 3,000 while at the 800 position, Gerleman has the likes of Powell, Jessica Bird, Kierra Smith and Ashley Peters. Going to the 400, Studer, Jill Johnson, Paige Paxton, Chelsea Ekeler and first-time track runner Karlee Riley will compete for individual and relay positions. The field events also show some depth as well. With Krambeck taking the high jump, Byers and Geary will compete in the long jump. Leah Hurt will work double-duty in the shot put and discus while Megan Birchard and Aubrey Pendegraft will also get time at the discus. But all of these positions are up for change due to the lack of outdoor practice time. “It’s been very difficult to prepare for the season — more so than any I can remember,” said Gerleman. “It follows with the winter we’ve had. We’re trying to get the most out of them that we can right now.” But like most teams in the state, Gerleman isn’t alone with having to deal with the lack of track-running weather. As far as a conference outlook for the Hawkeye 10 Meet on May 5 in Carroll, Gerleman likes usual powers Harlan and Atlantic. Creston tied for third with Atlantic last year. “Ideally we’d like to chase Harlan — they have a good outfit,” said Gerleman. “They lost some good runners, but they have plenty. Atlantic is going to field a team that can compete year-in and year-out. We’d like to think we could be up there in the top three.” The Panthers open the season Tuesday with two meets. Hunter, Geary and Krambeck will be competing at the Iowa State Indoor Meet in Cedar Falls on Tuesday. Krambeck will run the 60 hurdles and high jump, Hunter will do the 60 hurdles as well and the 60 meter dash while Geary will compete in the 400 meter dash and possibly the high jump. The remainder of the team will go to the regularly-scheduled meet in Red Oak, which starts at 5 p.m. Creston Girls Track Glance (* — Letterwinner) Roster Seniors — *Lauren Grose, *Meghin Krambeck, *Josie Krings, *Kristin Powell, Sarah Studer, *Candace Weeda. Juniors — *Megan Birchard, *Kayla Byers, *Nicole Hunter, *Dana Miller, Aubrey Pendegraft. Sophomores — Jessica Bird, *Taylor Geary, *Leah Hurt, *Jill Johnson, *Paige Paxton, *C.J. Pettegrew, Karlee Riley, *Kierra Smith, *Laura Walter. Freshmen — Chelsea Ekeler, Christy Stevens, Ashley Peters. Managers — Cassie Abbott, Lexi McCantly. Schedule March 25 — at Iowa State Indoor Meet in Cedar Falls, 11 a.m. March 25 — at Red Oak, 5 p.m. March 27 — at Clarke, 5 p.m. April 1 — at Clarinda, 4:30 p.m. April 4 — at Red Oak, 5 p.m. April 7 — Panther Relays, 5 p.m. April 11 — at Glenwood, 5 p.m. April 15 — at Dallas Center-Grimes, 5 p.m. April 22 — at Chariton, 5 p.m. April 24 — at Carlisle, 5 p.m. April 25-26 — at Drake Relays in Des Moines May 1 — at Mount Ayr, 5 p.m. May 5 — at Hawkeye 10 Meet hosted by Carroll Kuemper, 4:30 p.m. May 9 — at Class 3A District Meet at Atlantic, 4 p.m. May 15-17 — at State Coed Meet in Des Moines —————— Ben Frotscher can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 246 or bfrotscher@crestonnews.com