(Atlantic) The Atlantic Girl’s Track Team competes today at the 2024 IATC Indoor Championships at the Lied Center in Ames. Head Coach Matt Mullenix welcomes 34 team members and 18 returning letter winners.
Coach Mullenix describes his program as athlete-led. That became evident during the off-season when the girls attended the Winter Warrior workouts. The girls got together independently, ran through some sprinting drills, or worked on their mileage.
Seven seniors return this season: sprinter/hurdler Makayla Atkinson, thrower Alexis Jimeniz-Russell, hurdler Avery Knuth, middle distance runner Avery Nicolas, and sprinter Callie Pellett. The remaining seniors, Claire Pellett and Nicole Middents have state-qualifying experience.
Coach Mullenix says Pellett has had great success in Cross Country and track. As a junior, Pellett earned four medals at the state meet in the Distance Medley Relay, 4×400 Relay, 4×800, and 800 Meters.
The Trojans also return four juniors, including state medalists Morgan Botos in the shuttle Hurdle Relay, Mariah Huffman in 4×800, and Hailey Huffman in the Distance Medley Relay. Jersey Phippen, alternate for the Drake Relays, returns with much promise.
Sophomores: Sprinter Adler Bruce, a medal winner in the Shuttle Hurdle Relay, returns this season, along with sprinter and letter-winner Taylee Hagen Delaney Hinman; will move up to the 400 races, thrower Olivia Olson, hurdler Allya Williams, long jumper, hurdler, sprinter, Lila Wiederstein, and medal-winning hurdler Jacie Reed.
The Trojans compete at the Indoor meet at Ames today and Northwest Missouri State University on March 16.
