Mount Ayr Community’s girls opened practice for what could be another exciting and successful track campaign recently. Coaches Deb and John Larsen return an outstanding group of veterans and are hoping some newcomers can give them some depth this season.
Returning juniors Allie Knapp, Bailey Myer and Becca Pennington are members of the school record holding 4x800 relay team that earned silver medals at the state track meet last season. Myer also placed eighth in the state meet in the open 800 with a 2:22.0 clocking, which is the second best 800 time in Raiderette track history.
Senior Tiffany Wimer is the school record holder in the hurdles and she, Bailey Myer and Allie Knapp are members of the record setting shuttle hurdle relay team. Seniors Erica Kemery and Jamie Novak are medal winning relay runners with a wealth of experience for Mount Ayr Community. Besides the juniors already mentioned the Raiderettes return Grace Fernandez, Brittni Gillespie, Becca Gregg, Jordyn Grose, Charmaine Johnson, Valerie Jones, Jensen Stewart and Liberty Silliman. Becca Gregg, Valerie Jones and Jensen Stewart all have earned first place medals in their Raiderette careers.
Megan Doubleday, Amanda Perrigo, Desirae Trammell and Katelyn Warin are the leading medal winners among the sophomores. Doubleday and Warin are middle distance runners and Perrigo will be running a lot of sprint relays. Trammell will be helping the Raiderettes by scoring points in the field events.
Sophomores Taylor Lynch and Kylee Klommhaus also have meet experience for Mount Ayr Community.
Head coach Deb Larsen is expecting some contributions from a good group of incoming freshman and some other newcomers this season.
“Perennial power Corning and upcoming power Martensdale-St. Marys will be the ones to beat for the POI title,” said head coach Larsen. “The Raiderettes will be hosting a 1A District, but the teams present at the Mount Ayr site are not yet determined.”
The Raiderette roster includes:
Seniors --Erica Kemery, Jamie Novak and Tiffany Wimer.
Juniors -- Grace Fernandez, Brittni Gillespie, Becca Gregg, Jordyn Grose, Charmaine Johnson, Valerie Jones, Allie Knapp, Bailey Myer, Becca Pennington, Jensen Stewart and Liberty Silliman.
Sophomores include Claire Andresen, Megan Doubleday, Mariah Fifer, Kylee Klommhaus, Taylor Lynch, Amanda Perrigo, Rachael Roach, Deirae Trammell and Katelyn Warin.
Freshmen are Brooke Chenoweth, Hannah Fletchall, Cassidy Flowers, Emily Fox, Madison Hosfield, Maggie Jennette and Morgan Quick.
Schedule set
Schedule for the girls includes:
Tuesday, March 30 -- Demon Invitational, Lamoni, 3 p.m.
Tuedsay, April 6 -- Clarinda Invitational, Clarinda, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 8 -- Interstate 35 Relays, Truro, 5 p.m.
Monday, April 12 -- Panther Relays, Creston, 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 15 -- Fillie Relays, Shenandoah, 5 p.m.
Monday, April 19 -- Girls Red Raider Relays, Corning, 5 p.m.
April 22-24 -- Drake Relays, Des Moines, TBA.
Tuesday, April 27 -- Lady Charger Relays, Chariton, 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 29 -- Interstate 35 Invitational, Truro, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 30 -- Bedford Invitational, Bedford, 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4 -- POI Conference Meet, Bedford, 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 6 -- Raiderette Relays, Mount Ayr , 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 11 -- Central Decatur Coed Invitational, Lamoni 5 p.m.
Friday, May 14 -- District Meet, Mount Ayr, 4 p.m.
May 20-22 -- State Meet, Des Moines, TBA.