Messenger photo by Brandy Mills-Carver: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge girls track team are, front row (left to right): Gabrielle Wirtz, Reina Lacina, Brooklyn Nelson, Charlotte DeJong, Aileah Geopfert, Aneliese Schuur, Calliegh Zimmermann and Saiya Noborikawa. Back: Hope Alstott, Adyson Friesth, Malay Hollins, Maeleena Meyer, Teryn Rippentrop, Ava Wessels, LJ Maehl, Maddie Hoshaw and Ky’Mariana Mosley.

The Fort Dodge girls track team will have a solid nucleus and a young speedster on the track this season.

The senior class of LJ Maehl, Maeleen Meyer, Teryn Rippentrop, Ava Wessels and Aneliese Schurr will be key cogs for veteran Dodger head coach Todd Constable.

Freshman Ava Osorio has already made an instant impact in the indoor season, hoping it will carry over once the weather takes a turn for the better.

Meyer, junior Charlotte DeJong, sophomore Adyson Friesth and Osorio made a splash at the Iowa Alliance Conference Indoor Championships, winning the shuttle hurdle relay.

“Maeleena is versatile, running hurdles and helping us in the 4×1 and 4×2, and in some other relays,” said FDSH head coach Todd Constable. “We have a good shuttle hurdle relay. We were a second away (from qualifying) last year.”

Osorio was also the long jump champion at the IAC indoor meet.

“We have some competitive kids…we just have to put the right pieces in place,” Constable said. “We have to figure out the lineup and keep kids healthy. Hopefully, we’ll be peaking by districts.”

Wessels will be a key sprinter for the Dodgers.

“Ava is one of the most diverse athletes we have,” Constable said. “She can run 100s, 200s and 400s. We just have to figure out where we are going to put people in the relays.

“Last year we were close (to state) in the 4×400, too.”

Maehl will have a spot in the 200 races and possibly move to some 400s.

The seniors will be back and look to finish strong.

“Teryn will run some open 400s and in the relays. She has a great attitude and has gotten better every year,” Constable said. “Aneliese will run 100s and 200s as well as the 4×2.

“She is a consistent starter as we have had.”

Constable also sees some big things from junior Hope Alstott in the 100 and 200, as well as some relays. Classmate Calliegh Zimmermann is able to run a 200, as well as some relays.

The Dodgers will get back junior Maddie Hoshaw, who missed last season with a knee injury.

In the distance events, junior Saiya Noborikawa will run the mile and two mile. Also in the mix are sophomores Aileah Geopfert and Emma Mathis.

Also looking for a spot in the lineup will be sophomore Brooklyn Nelson in the 4×4. Sophomore Mariana Taute will run some sprints, along with classmate Malay Hollins.

Junior Ky’Mariana Mosley, along with freshmen Karson Porter and Ava Potter will throw for the Dodgers.

In the long jump pit will be Osorio, along with Hollins and Taute.

With the season beginning and little time in practice, Constable knows there is a lot that can still happen. He sees junior Reina Lacina, sophomore Gabrielle Wirtz looking to crack the lineup as well as freshman Valyn Friedrichs.

Constable will be assisted by Jon Koenig, Scott Timmerman and volunteer coach Austin Read.

2026 DODGER GIRLS TRACK

Roster

Seniors — LJ Maehl, Maeleena Meyer, Teryn Rippentrop, Ava Wessels, Aneliese Schurr.

Juniors — Hope Alstott, Syndal Rogers, Joely Gilbert, Gabriella Giron, Maddie Hoshaw, Reina Lacina, Mya Morales, Ky’Mariana Mosley, Saiya Noborikawa, Elizabeth Stagers, Calliegh Zimmermann.

Sophomores — Catherine Bristow, Allyson Carrion, Charlotte DeJong, Adyson Friesth, Aileah Geopfert, Mariah Gonzalez, Lexie Grim, Malay Hollins, Joey Luckenbill, Emma Mathis, Brooklyn Nelson, Mariana Taute, Gabrielle Wirtz.

Freshmen — Valyn Friedrichs, Greyson Hinds, Brogan Miller, Ava Osorio, Karson Porter, Ava Potter.

Schedule

March 30 — at Algona.

April 2 — at Boone Invitational; 9 — at Eagle Grove Invitational; 11 — at Jim Duncan Invitational (Drake Stadium); 14 — at Algona Hannover Relays; 16 — at Waterloo (Wahawk Relays); 23 — Dodger Relays; 28 — at ADM; 30 — at Mason City (Riverhawk Invite).

May 5 — at Marshalltown (Iowa Alliance Conference Meet).