WOODWARD — The Woodward-Granger girls track team sent two events to the 2017 state meet, and returning those events — and hopefully adding others — is one of several goals for the current squad.
Kaitlyn Peters, Anna Tague, Natalie Helbling and Emma Drake combined to qualify in the 4×800, finishing in 10 minutes, 33.45 seconds for 23rd place. Drake also earned a spot in the 800 and ran well, placing 11th in 2:25.13.
“We will be looking for both of those events to be even stronger this year,” Brent Achenbach — who shares head coaching duties with George Ashman — said recently. “We have some girls who I fully expect to do better in their events this year, and that is what we are really after, which is to see everyone improve.”
Alissa Smeltzer has joined the team this spring and should help in the shorter sprints. Chloe David, Kayley Dresback and Katelyn Bandstra all return, with Josie Noland returning from injury.
Katelyn Scharlau will be expected to score points in the throwing events for the Hawks.
“We have a large group of freshmen out as well,” Achenbach said. “We should end up with over 20 girls out. At this early point we are just trying to figure out who will fit where outside of the five or six events we think are pretty well set.”
The season begins for the Hawks girls at the Kip Janvrin Invitational in Panora April 3. The W-G boys and girls will then host the Hugh Cavanaugh Relays April 5, with Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines Christian, Perry and Southeast Valley expected to attend. Boys teams at the meet will come from DMC, SE Valley, Perry and Saydel.
