Track grows on Creston athlete

CNA photo by BEN FROTSCHER Three-sport star: CrestonÕs Meghin Krambeck has been a major factor in volleyball, basketball and track over the past four years of her high school career. Earlier this year, Krambeck signed with Iowa State University to run sprints and hurdles for the Cyclones.

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Track hasn’t always been a favorite sport for Creston’s Meghin Krambeck. “I was going to play basketball (in college) — that was my plan,” said Krambeck. “I started hurdling last year and I was good at it. I was never a fan until I started hurdling. Now it’s one of my favorites.” And it’s a sport that Krambeck has excelled in — above and beyond her other athletic endeavors of volleyball and basketball this past year. With her success in four-year sports of basketball, track and volleyball, along with two years of softball, Krambeck was named 2008 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Thursday. “When you’re talking about that outstanding athlete, you’re talking about someone who has excelled in multiple sports,” said Creston girls basketball coach Todd Jacobson. “She definitely did that in volleyball, basketball and track.” Last year, Krambeck, who has lived with her aunt and uncle, Mark and Peg Eblen for the past 13 years, was a member of the sprint medley relay team that placed second last year at state and also placed seventh in the 100 hurdles. She competed with teammate Nicole Hunter in the 100 hurdles last year, with both qualifying for the state meet again this season. “We are competitive people — we are our own competition and we’re usually one and two,” said Krambeck. “It’s good going against each other. Yes, there is that I want to beat my teammate, but we’re such good friends. We wouldn’t be as fast as we are if it wasn’t for each other.” As a freshman, Krambeck didn’t compete in many meets due to an illness. She ran 200s and 400s as a freshman, before moving to the 4x100, 100s and 200s her sophomore. She’s also done high jump throughout her career. When Creston girls track coach Mike Gerleman moved Krambeck to hurdles, he found a diamond in the rough. “We really found a nice find with her in the hurdles,” said Gerleman. “As a freshman, she had a virus and ran only a couple relays, but wasn’t outstanding like she turned out to be.” Krambeck holds three school records for the Panthers — individually with the 100 hurdles and is also a part of the shuttle hurdle and sprint medley relays. “The last two years she’s been outstanding,” said Gerleman. “She really shines when the lights are on, when the meets start and the guns go off. She’s a coaches dream. Few kids can do what she does.” On to ISU And because of that success, she signed with the Iowa State University women’s track program earlier this year. Krambeck will most likely be running sprints and hurdles for the Cyclones. “The Iowa State coach (assistant coach Ronnie Williams) contacted me and he told me he really wanted me to run there,” said Krambeck. “I didn’t know about Iowa State. I went and visited with the girls and talked to the team. That’s when I decided I wanted to go there.” At Iowa State, Krambeck hopes to continue her vocal career in a school choir. She’s been a two-time all-state selection during her four years at Creston High School. Krambeck got some early fame when she was asked to sing at the Iowa Games at the age of 12. “I went to an AEA conference and I sang at it,” said Krambeck. “Jim Hallihan (Iowa Games director at the time) asked me to sing the opening ceremonies of the Iowa Games then.” Besides choir and athletics, she’s been involved with the school publication and numerous clubs. Basketball Krambeck started for four years in basketball, lettering the past three years. She was the starting center for the 2006-07 team that had its first winning record in the 5-on-5 era. This past year, Krambeck led the team with 12.5 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. “She’s a competitor — once she’s on the floor, she’s going to compete and want to win,” said Jacobson. “It’s hard to gauge because you don’t see that from her yelling on the floor, but you know she wants to win. She’s going to do whatever it takes to help her team. She’s such an explosive player and understands the game real well.” Krambeck, the captain this past year, ended her four-year career in basketball with 672 points, good enough for third on the Creston all-time five-player list. She was also the all-time rebounds leader with 505 total. “She’s somebody that you can depend on — she’s about as dependable as it gets,” said Jacobson. “She was that silent leader. She leads by example. She’s been a real key to the last couple of seasons.” Volleyball The theme was very similar for Krambeck in volleyball. This past season, she helped the team achieve its first winning record since 1992 with a record of 14-12. Krambeck led the team in aces (27), blocks (44) kills (112) and kill efficiency (.150) this past season. “I can’t say enough about Meghin and her contributions,” said Creston volleyball coach Susan Harris. “From the beginning as a freshman and learning to play with upperclassmen to becoming a leader by example, she did anything I would ask her to do. She was willing to put it all out there every time.” She was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball — three-year starter — and Harris said her competitive spirit showed through in all sports. “Meghin has a love of the game for whichever sport is in season,” said Harris. “She really doesn’t look forward or back, and just gives it her all. I’m excited to see her continue on in track at Iowa State.” But Krambeck still has some unfinished business left on the table. Starting Thursday at 9 a.m., Krambeck’s shuttle hurdle relay team will compete in the preliminaries at the state meet and possibly the finals on Saturday. She’ll also compete in the high jump Thursday, the 100 hurdles Friday and possibly Saturday in the finals, and the sprint medley on Saturday. It’s the third year in a row she’s qualified events for the state meet. “In all the events, I’d like to at least place in the upper parts,” said Krambeck. “Last year, I was seventh in the hurdles and this year I’d like to be first. Everyone wants to, but it would be nice.” Creston Activities Booster Club Outstanding Female Athlete Award winners: 1972-73 — Jan Lesan 1973-74 — Ellen Pendegraft 1974-75 — Carol Reed, Sue Tindle 1975-76 — Roxann Sammons 1976-77 — Rhonda Piel 1977-78 — Dorothy Loos 1978-79 — Carol McFee, Kerri Martin 1979-80 — Debbie Oxenrider 1980-81 — Janelle Johnson, Kelly Reed 1981-82 — Marty Lang 1982-83 — Melanie Blubaugh, Lynn Spurgeon 1983-84 — Donna Dickinson 1984-85 — Tawnya Antisdel 1985-86 — Lisa Becker, Lori Quam 1986-87 — Shannon Freeman 1987-88 — Deanne Eilers 1988-89 — Barb Bradley, Polly Gammell 1989-90 — Janelle Eblen 1990-91 — Kandee Bishop 1991-92 — Tonya Latham 1992-93 — Emily Sevier 1993-94 — Tara Adams, Teri Bunkofske 1994-95 — Summer Hook 1995-96 — Cari Briley, Sarah Vicker 1996-97 — Lindsay Courtney 1997-98 — Casee Piel, Jessica Moeller 1998-99 — Leanne Owens 1999-00 — Emily Bruce, Michelle Clausen 2000-01 — Amanda Parker 2001-02 — Kylee Bradley, Jessica Schierbaum 2002-03 — Stormy Weis 2003-04 — Amy Goldsmith 2004-05 — Jacque Jay 2005-06 — Ashley Hartsook, Brittany Riley 2006-07 — Kari McCann 2007-08 — Meghin Krambeck —————— Ben Frotscher can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 246 or bfrotscher@crestonnews.com