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Central girls track and field expects to vie for conference, district titles

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Members of the Central girls track and field team include (front, left to right) Caitlyn Druecker, Coral Rork, Aspen Rork, Reese Berns, Madylen Gregerson, Grace Kuehl, Taylor Moser, Jaydin Dettman, Brooklyn Amsden; (middle) Staci Herman, Brandi Herman, Tori Sylvester, Kimberly Suhr, Keeley Curran, Delaney Scherf, Katelyn Scherf, Lexi Loan, Hannah Asche, Tessa Sylvester; (back) Coach Stacey Moore, Coach Jamie Reimer, Brooke Tieden, Alyson Feickert, Haley Mueller, Kaitlyn Wiley, Shannon Farmer, Brandy Beatty, Jarecsi Moran-Vasquez, Eva Embretson, Erin Dittmer and Coach Martha Bauder. Not pictured are Gracie Cummer, Macie Winters and Alexis Thiese and managers Savannah Orr and Kirsten Farmer. (Photo courtesy of Blaker Photography)

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

 

It’s been 40 years since coach Martha Bauder started as a volunteer for Central’s track and field team, before becoming he head coach the following year, and in that time, the passion for the sport and the athletes has not wavered. Neither have the goals she sets for the team, with the biggest being a trip to the state meet at Drake University, a place Bauder described as “magical” and “one of the best state track meets in the country.”

 

While that is the end goal every season, on a smaller scale, just as important are the daily goals Bauder puts on the team, like meeting the physical and mental challenges of every practice, workout and race. The goal is meeting these challenges with a positive attitude and trying to get better at everything related to the particular discipline the girls are participating in, regardless of how small the detail might be. Bauder believes all these goals are achievable this season with the competitive makeup of the roster. 

 

“We’re expecting to vie for the conference and district championships and then to qualify as many events to the state meet as possible, with at least 10 events would be the goal,” she said. 

 

The expectations are lofty, but the team boasts 31 members, including nine 2021 state qualifiers and alternates. 

 

This group, consisting of Brandy Beatty, Kaitlyn Wiley, Haley Mueller, Delaney Scherf, Hannah Asche, Lexi Loan, Grace Kuehl, Gracie Cummer and Jaydin Dettman, comprises what Bauder labeled as the “backbone” of the team, as they are directly involved in 13 of 19 total events Central will compete in at meets. 

 

But as any good coach will tell you, every team’s success is the sum of all of its members combined. In this area, Bauder noted the experience and improved skill of returning members like Shannon Farmer, Eva Embretson, Aly Feickert, Katelyn Scherf, Brooklyn Amsden, Madylen Gregerson, Staci Herman, Taylor Moser and Macie Winters. 

 

The 31 strong also includes several newcomers in Caitlyn Druecker, Erin Dittmer, Reese Berns, Keeley Curran, Brandi Herman, Aspen Rork, Coral Rork, Tessa Sylvester, Tori Sylvester, Kimberly Suhr, Alexis Thiese and Brooke Tieden. 

 

Throughout this group, Bauder finds numerous strengths across the track and field events, starting with the shuttle hurdle relay that consists of two seniors, Beatty and Wiley, who have been to state every season. According to Bauder, they both “have their sights set on making it to the finals this year.” 

 

Then there are the other events, like the hurdles, being run by upperclassmen, followed by the sprints, mid-distance and long distance events, comprised of numerous state qualifiers and cross country runners. 

 

Although Bauder mentioned the loss of some runners last year due to graduation has impacted the team’s long distance group as well as the field events, the loss comes with opportunity for the team. That’s in the form of new athletes competing, and when it comes to the throwing events especially, Bauder mentioned how the conference graduated the top eight place winners from last year, which opens the door for so many new competitors.  

 

Regarding those field events, Bauder said with confidence, “we have girls who again are wanting to make those events a place where they can have success and contribute. I’m pleased with their potential, work ethic and positive attitudes.”

 

In setting the team up for success, Bauder puts each athlete in the best position to achieve by selecting events where they will have the best chance. She also focuses on speed work, which is “very high” on the list of things the team does in practice because every event has some element of speed. 

 

“No matter how small of a percentage that speed element is, the body needs to know what that maximum speed effort feels like so that reaching potential in a skill is more probable,” she said.

 

Bauder also covers all five areas of athleticism, which are speed, endurance, mobility, strength and agility, every day. The goal is helping each athlete get better in all of the events, while tailoring these ideas to the unique blend of girls who join the team each season in hopes of maximizing success. 

 

While the goals are clearly stated, like winning the conference, winning districts and scoring more points at the state meet, success also means something else to Bauder.  

 

“Success would be having every team member stick it out the entire season and finishing with the thoughts that they are proud of their hard earned accomplishments and that they are excited for the next season to see if they can go to the next level,” she said.

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