Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge girls track returning letterwinners are, front row (left to right): April Naeve, Morgan Bodholdt, Dallas Richardson, Maia Davis and Martyne Lowrey. Middle: Gracie Miller, Aleaha Pommer, Ava Clay and Piera McBride. Back: Keyonna Douglas, Haley Wills, Tory Bennett, Eileen Fierke, Tristin Doster and Isabel Beekman.

Whatever happens next is just an added bonus for Todd Constable.

The Fort Dodge girls track coach is just excited to see his team competing again this season.

After COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 campaign, the Dodgers are ready to get back to normal.

“We haven’t competed since May 9, 2019,” Constable said. “We had our season taken away, but now we get to go out and get back at it.

“It’s going to be tough sleeping (overnight Thursday), because we’re excited and ready to go.”

Constable will lean on 13 upperclassmen, while welcoming 30 sophomores and freshmen that will see the first varsity action of their careers.

Seniors Isabel Beekman, Ava Clay, Triston Doster, Taylor Johnson, Piera McBride, Gracie Miller and Dallas Richardson are looking to cap off their Dodger careers in style.

Juniors Tory Bennett, Maia Davis, Alexis Hiracheta, Martyne Lowrey, Aleaha Pommer and Haley Wills also return.

Bennett, Wills and Doster will run sprints, as well as sophomore Keyonna Douglas. McBride will run sprints and some 400s.

“We are going to really be counting on the seniors and juniors to help lead us,” Constable said. “Haley and Pierra especially have been awesome in the preseason with the younger athletes to help them understand the expectations.”

Sophomore Eileen Fierke and Johnson will run 800s, as well as track newcomer Alexis Ross, a sophomore.

Beekman and sophomore Morgan Bodholdt, will be key contributors in the distance events.

“Isabel has been around for four seasons and has helped us out a lot,” Constable said. “We were excited to see what Morgan could do last year, so those expectations continue (into her sophomore season).”

Richardson joins sophomores April Naeve and Ereziah Jones as hurdlers.

Pommer, who was close to qualifying for state as a freshman in the long jump, will also be versatile for the Dodgers and run some 100s, 200s and 400s. Davis could run any sprint event as well, according to Constable.

In the field events, Fierke — who will also run some 400s and 800s — will be in the high jump along with Clay.

Joining Pommer in the long jump pit will be Lowrey, sophomore Maggie Elsbecker and Davis.

“We’ve seen a lot of things out of good things out of (Lowrey, Elsbecker and Davis),” Constable said. “We should be very competitive in the long jump, led by Aleaha.”

Sophomores Lainey Maehl, Aliyah Henry and Miller will be the throwers.

“Lainey and Aliyah have been working hard,” Constable said. “Gracie has been in the program for a long time and has been throwing well.”

The Dodgers open the season Thursday at Boone.

“Everyone is just excited to get going,” Constable said. “After the first meet, we will be able to get an understanding of what will be the best lineup for us.

“We have been practicing for a month, now we just need to go compete and get a good assessment and then make the adjustments we need to make.”

Constable will be assisted by Scott Timmerman and Jon Koenig.