(Atlantic) Atlantic Head Girl’s Track Coach Matt Mullenix hosted a media day on Thursday, March 7. Thirty-four athletes reported to practice, 18 of whom are returning lettermen.
Coach Mullenix has seven seniors returning, led by Claire Pellett. One year ago, Pellett earned four medals at the state track meet in the Distance Medley, 4×800, 4×400, and 800 Meters. On Friday, she kicked off her senior season with a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters at the IATC Indoor Championships at the Lied Center in Ames.
Makayla Atkinson returns to the team injury-free this season. She specializes in hurdle and sprint races. Like everyone, Atkinson wants to see her times come down but also emphasizes teamwork.
Thrower Alexis Jimeniz-Russell scored points in that event for the Trojans as a junior one year ago. Jimeniz-Russell’s bests are 31 feet in the Shot Put and mid-nineties in the discus. She is working on her technique this season to gain more distance.
Avery Knuth was an alternate for the state medal-winning Shuttle Hurdle Relay Team. Knuth is nursing an injury; and hopes to return on the track in one to two weeks.
Avery Nicholas moved from sprinting to the middle-distance races late in the season one year ago.
Callie Pellett will focus on the short sprints early in the season and possibly extend her distance to 400 meters mid-late season.
A sprinter and state qualifier, Nicole Middents scored many points one year ago. Coach Mullenix says Middents has had a good preseason and is expecting a lot out of her this season.
The Trojans travel to Northwest Missouri State University this Saturday for their final Indoor meet. We will feature state medalist Morgan Botos, Jersey Phippen, juniors, and sophomores Lila Wiederstein and Jacie Reed on Wednesday.
