By Becky Walz,
Unity and determination may well be the motto for the 2023 Turkey Valley track and field team.
With two returning state athletes, nine letter winners and eight newcomers excited to make their mark in the Trojan uniform, Turkey Valley is excited to see what the season has in store.
Looking to lead the Trojans as co-head coaches are Dalton Hackman and Sarah Bakula, neither a stranger to the program as Hackman is entering his fifth season at the helm with Bakula leading the cross country program for six season. Joining them is Cally Mueller as an assistant.
A great finish
The Trojans featured seven seniors and lots of veteran talent in 2022. That experience dominated throughout the season with numerous top finishes.
Culminating at the Upper Iowa Conference meet, the Trojans finished third in the team standings with 111 points. Three events won the UIC crown — Jalyssa Blazek in the 1500-meter run, the distance medley quartet of Ryann Schmitt, Hailey Elsbernd, Kourtney Schmidt and Blazek and the 4×100 relay of R. Schmitt, Olivia Snyder, Kara Reicks and Josie Weber.
A week later at the state-qualifying meet, Turkey Valley finished in a three-way tie for fourth place with 66 points as Blazek was crowned the champion in the 1500-meter run, 800-meter run and 100-meter dash to punch her ticket to state. Jacqlyn Schmitt earned her first state-appearance in the discus, while the distance medley quartet of seniors Reicks, Weber, Schmidt and Blazek also punched their tickets to state.
Blazek left her mark on the Blue Oval at Drake Stadium, wrapping up her high school career with double gold — the first in Turkey Valley history. Her first state title came in the 800-meter run in 2:15.83, nearly five seconds faster than her one-year old school record. Blazek did it again in the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:46.63, another broken school record which she had just set at the qualifier at 4:54.51.
The distance medley crossed the finish line 11th in 4:27.27 while J. Schmitt wrapped up her junior season 23rd in the discus with a throw of 89 feet 6 inches.
Key losses
The Trojans had seven athletes graduate from the squad with Blazek leaving the biggest shoes to fill with her versatility on the track to run sprints and distances. Cambree Kruse was also a distance runner while Hailey Elsbernd filled in both the mid-distance and distance events. Kara Reicks, Kourtney Schmidt and Josie Weber aided the sprints with Olivia Drilling on hurdle detail.
Strong athletes all-around
Although the Trojans will be without the seven strong seniors, Hackman and Bakula have several names they can call on to provide strength this season. Leading the way are seniors Olivia Snyder and Jacqlyn Schmitt. Snyder was a member of the UIC champion 4×100 relay, while J. Schmitt is back with her state experience.
The coaching duo will also rely on the experience of its letter winners — Aubrey Hoffert, Clare Courtney, Delaney Busta, Kinsey Reicks and Adysen Wurzer.
“We have a great senior group returning that has set the tone at practice thus far this year. They have taken on the role of leadership with unity and determination,” said the TV coaches. “They all work well together and support each other.”
Those returning athletes will be aided by freshmen Morgan Wenthold, Makinley Lutgen, Addison Steinlage, Addison Lutgen, Karsten Lukes, Karen Ventura and Haylee Hanson.
“We are a young team, so lack of experience and getting our freshmen group up to speed and learning all the ins and outs of high school track will be one of our weaknesses,” added the coaches.
Eye on the prize
With the winter sticking around, the Trojans have needed to stay positive during practice and that can only help them in the future.
Like always, the coaches expect to see their athletes surprise some fans at the end of the season with some field events and running events making it to state.
“We hope to get as many personal and season bests out of many athletes with the end goal of running on the Blue Oval,” the coaches concluded.
When it comes to the conference race, the coaches believe North Fayette Valley, South Winn and Central are the strong contenders and predict the Trojans will be in the top half of the Upper Iowa Conference.
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