Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond girls track and field returning letterwinners are, front row (left to right): Caroline Shelly, Mya McClain and Gracie Harvey. Back: Mady Halverson, Reese Lemberg, Michaela Leiting and Hannah Landwehr. Not pictured: Emma Alstott.

Monica Shelly knows where the strengths of her St. Edmond track and field team will be this spring.

Shelly is also banking on a small — but mighty — senior class to lead the Gaels.

That group is paced by Emma Alstott and Caroline Shelly, who were part of the state-winning 4×800-meter relay alongside sophomore Michaela Leiting last year.

Gracie Harvey, Mya McClain and Jordyn Putney round out the seniors with Alstott and Shelly.

Juniors include Mady Halverson, Sylvia Hess and Sidney Lowry, along with 10th-graders Leiting, Andee Barwin, Kaili Henning, Hannah Landwehr, Reese Lemberg and Jana Pfannkvch.

“We have a very strong senior class of runners that will provide a lot to the team,” Shelly said. “The leadership and outstanding work ethic of this group is incredible.”

Barwin was a state qualifier as a freshman in the 400, with Shelly advancing in the 800 and Leiting the 1,500. Alstott ran in the 400 hurdles in Des Moines with SEHS also qualifying the 4×200, 4×400 and distance medley relays to go along with the 4×800.

“We are just in the beginning stages of our training,” Shelly said. “Working on building a great base for these girls. As we progress, we will start getting very specific with each athlete as to their training paces and times. We are extremely fortunate as coaches that our girls always rise to the challenge of each workout we provide.

“Based on how we performed at UNI, we are extremely excited. One of the biggest areas that we stress at this point of the season is to stay on top of any possible overuse injury. If anything starts to get a little ‘grouchy,’ we address it right away.”

Freshmen newcomers include Josie Harvey, Sasha Hess, Ellie Knox, Nicole Mosier, Emily Mosier and Claire O’Connor.

“Hannah is not new to the team, but last year, she started out with some health issues that kept her from running, We are very excited with what she will add in the distance events this year,” Shelly said. “Ellie was a key runner on the third place state cross country team and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do.”

“We also have some new hurdle talent this year that will hopefully round out a great shuttle hurdle relay. Coach (Josephine) Alstott is an incredible hurdle coach who has been working with the girls, and we are extremely lucky to have her.”

St. Edmond opens the outdoor portion of its schedule this Saturday at the CYO in Algona. The Gaels run at the Dodger Relays on April 21, with the North Central Conference meet set for May 5 in Clear Lake.

“Our goals are to take it one week at a time and keep everyone healthy while working at their full potential,” Shelly said. “We have so much amazing talent within this group. We stress that success and goals are different for each runner on our team, but collectively, we would love to get as many runners on the Blue Oval as possible.

“We are so very fortunate in the state of Iowa to have such an outstanding track and field program.”

2022 ST. EDMOND GIRLS TRACK

Roster

Seniors — Emma Alstott, Gracie Harvey, Mya McClain, Jordyn Putney, Caroline Shelly.

Juniors — Mady Halverson, Sylvia Hess, Sidney Lowry.

Sophomores — Andee Barwin, Kaili Henning, Hannah Landwehr, Michaela Leiting, Reese Lemberg, Jana Pfannkvch.

Freshmen — Josie Harvey, Sasha Hess, Ellie Knox, Nicole Mosier, Emily Mosier, Claire O’Connor.

Schedule

March 26 — at CYO meet in Algona; 28 — at Greene County; 29 — at Earlham.

April 4 — at Southeast Valley; 7 — at Eagle Grove; 12 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 14 — at Manson Northwest Webster; 19 — at Pocahontas Area; 21 — at Dodger Relays; 25 — at Humboldt; 29 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

May 2 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 5 — at NCC meet in Clear Lake.