(Harlan, IA) — The Harlan Girls Track and Field sent a few athletes to Ames last week at the IATC Indoor Championships. Sophomore Ashlyn Rau finished 7th in the 1500 and Freshman Julia Hestlink was close behind her in 9th place. Rau also finished 13th in the 3000. The 4×800 relay team of Ava Freund, Sadie Alberti, Aspen Bieker and Josie Sonderman finished in 11th place. The strength of this year’s team will be in the long distance races after many cross country runners come off the course and onto the track. Head Coach Jenny Hamilton says it starts with Rau
Hestlink will follow Rau much like Rau followed Lindsey Sonderman in the past and Hamilton says she can run 400s and even 200s. Hamilton likes Sadie Alberit and Ava Freund in the 800 this year. Hamilton says she is trying to improve the sprints, emphasizing a lot of speedwork in practice — she says Aubree Wegner will led the sprint races this year
For the field events, nobody has emerged yet in the long jump and high jump but has a promising thrower
Hamilton says she plans on being competitive in the 4×400, 4×800 and D Med relays. Harlan will send a complete team to an indoor meet this Saturday at Central College at Pella; the first outdoor meet is Thursday, March 26 at Carroll.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Jenny Hamilton
