MFL MarMac Girls Track and Field Preview: Youthful Bulldogs want to take the next step this season
The MFL MarMac girls track and field team includes (front, left to right) Charlotte Meyer, Kensey Ball; (middle) Bayleigh Wood, Annaka McArthur, manager Ariana Fish, Lauryn Sandstrom, Addison Corlett; (back) Amelia Duffield, Isla Henkes, assistant coach Jessica Brehmer, head coach Kylie Sandstrom, Lucille Kessler and Brooklyn Tonn. Not pictured is Audrey Ruff. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac girls track and field team will rely on a young group of athletes this season. Of the 11 participants, all but four are freshmen.
The Bulldogs will be led by lone senior Audrey Ruff as well as juniors Brooklyn Tonn and Bayleigh Wood and sophomore Lauryn Sandstrom. The group of freshmen includes Kensey Ball, Charlotte Meyer, Addison Corlett, Isla Henkes, Annaka McArthur, Lucille Kessler and Amelia Duffield.
Head coach Kylie Sandstrom expects throwing events—shot put and discuss—to be a strength this year with Ruff, Tonn and Henkes.
“We’ve got a solid 400 runner [in Ball], some hurdlers, a couple long distance runners,” noted Sandstrom. “We’re going to have some decent times and they’re going to continue to succeed in those.”
The coach said relays are currently up in the air. She sees potential in the sprint or distance medleys and also the 4x400 if another runner can turn in a solid 400 time.
“Then we’ll be very competitive in that,” Sandstrom stated.
With a younger, more inexperienced team, Sandstrom has focused on running and throwing form in the early stage of the season.
“And just speed,” she added. “We have focused on speed and the quickness of our feet and doing some different drills than we’ve done in the past. I’m excited to see that come to fruition.”
Mindset has been another focus.
“Knowing that, when it’s hard, you have to keep pushing through and breaking the threshold of ‘Oh, I’m tired,’” explained Sandstrom.
The ultimate goal this year is to advance one or more events to the state meet in Des Moines. But Sandstrom also hopes to see times and confidence blossom as the season progresses.
“Last year, we ended the season with 10 personal bests at our state qualifying meet. Unfortunately, no one made it to state, but that’s a huge accomplishment,” Sandstrom said. “This year, we want to take it to that next step. Depending on where our state qualifying meet is at is a huge factor in that as well, but I think there are some solid athletes here who can make that goal a reality.”
The Bulldogs will be back on the track on Tuesday, April 8, at Postville, then wrap up the week at Starmont on Thursday, April 10.
