Submitted photo Front row: Ava Bradley, Naomi Valles, Brianna Saathoff Back row: McKenna Kvale, Lily Eslick, Alex Leiting, Anna Lursen

The St. Edmond girls track and field team had a season to remember a year ago, recording a state champion, two runner-up finishes and a third place team honor at the Class 1A meet.

Now, the task of putting the pieces back together again falls on the shoulders of head coach CJ Tracy.

Back for the Gaels will be senior Anna Lursen, as the University of South Dakota commit ran to a pair of silvers in the 400 and 400 hurdles a season ago.

The only other senior is Brianna Saathoff, as she was on two relays as a sophomore that competed at state.

“Anna and Brianna are both track veterans with state experience who we will be leaning very heavily on for leadership both by example and vocally,” Tracy said. “They are two incredible kids who have really been a joy to coach. I’m excited to give them a great final season of track.”

Mariah Myers has graduated after winning the shot put and scoring points in the discus, as have Josie Harvey and Sasha Hess, both key parts to multiple events over the last four years.

Juniors Lily Eslick, Breeanna Kalvig, McKenna Kvale, Alex Leiting and Lizzy Tiernan are taking on more leadership roles within the program, as sophomores Ava Bradley and Naomi Valles, and freshmen Adelyn Bangert, Ella Christiansen, Eden Horn, Mia Bella Johnson, Rihanna Myers, Kenzie Nolte, Grace Schlegel, Breckyn Ulrich and Ella Vandi round out the roster.

“I think our success last year definitely helped bring in a big class of newcomers,” Tracy said. “They saw the success we had and want to be part of that and help it continue to grow.”

The one benefit Tracy has is that several of the underclassmen have gained valuable varsity experience in other sports, as Bradley was a key reserve on the basketball court while Valles has ran cross country for two seasons now.

Schlegel was the top runner for the cross country team, which Tracy served as an assistant coach to, Horn earned all-North Central Conference basketball honors, Vandi was a starter on the volleyball team and both Myers and Ulrich helped St. Edmond reach the state softball tournament this past summer.

“It’s exciting because they understand what it takes to compete at the varsity level,” Tracy said. “They are a very competitive group of kids and we can see just how hard they are working on a daily basis.

“The goal is to get as many events as possible to state and be running our best at the end of the year.”

The Gaels will compete in Fort Dodge at the Dodger Relays on April 23, closing out the season with meets in Humboldt, Hampton and Iowa Falls before the North Central Conference event in Webster City on May 7.

Districts take place a week later on May 14 with the state track and field meet set for Des Moines May 21-23.

Tracy will be assisted by Kevin Astor with Cory Naughton helping with the throwing events.

Roster

Seniors — Anna Lursen, Brianna Saathoff.

Juniors — Lily Eslick, Breeanna Kalvig, McKenna Kvale, Alex Leiting, Lizzy Tiernan.

Sophomores — Ava Bradley, Naomi Valles.

Freshmen — Adelyn Bangert, Ella Christiansen, Eden Horn, Mia Bella Johnson, Rihanna Myers, Kenzie Nolte, Grace Schlegel, Breckyn Ulrich, Ella Vandi.

Schedule

March 31 — at Earlham.

April 7 — at Richard Ryan Relays in Gowrie; 9 — at Lady Eagle Relays in Eagle Grove; 10 — at Ram Early Bird in Jefferson; 14 — at Cowgirl Relays in Clarion; 16 — at Emily Markert Coed Relays in Manson; 21 — at Pocahontas Area; 23 — at Dodger Relays; 27 — at Humboldt.

May 1 — at Jim Basye Coed Relays in Hampton; 4 — at Cadet Relays in Iowa Falls; 7 — at North Central Conference championships in Webster City; 14 — at state-qualifying meet.