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Bears look to repeat as conference champs
Gehrking returns as state medalist in 100
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
NORTH ENGLISH — It was a tight race for the conference title last season in South Iowa Cedar League girls track and field.
Two points separated three teams, but only one team could come out on top on top, and that team was English Valleys.
“The team would like to repeat as SICL champions, and we know it will be a dogfight again,” English Valleys coach Steve Hester said. ”We should be able to fill every event and compete for top three in a majority of them.“
That is where the goals will start this season for the Bears, who also took five individual events to state and return two of those athletes.
As a freshman, Ava Gehrking qualified in the 100- and 200-meter, making the finals in the 100 and placing fifth.
Addison Achenbach returns as a qualifier in the 3,000.
The Bears said goodbye to multi-time state medalist Kennedy Axmear, but Tayor Mikesell is a previous 2023 qualifier in the discus.
The distance crew will be the strength of the Bears this season.
With all underclassmen in their top five, the Bears placed fifth at state cross-country last fall.
“We have good numbers and finally some distance runners as well,” said Hester. “We will convert to a distance-based relay team with not as many sprinters as we have had in the past.”
Freshman Anna Luers, who was the team’s top runner last fall, will lead that charge in distance races.
“She has already had amazing times and splits in the indoor season and is good at any race,” Hester said.
On the sprints and hurdles side, Kailor Lown, along with Gehrking, will be key to providing points for the Bears.
In the high jump, Olivia Debevec will be an athlete to watch, Hester said.
Lown placed third in the 100 hurdles at conference last season.
“We would also like to send multiple relays and individuals to state again this season,” Hester. “If the athletes progress like they should, I would like to see a top 10 finish at state.”
The Bears competed in two indoor meets and will open up their season Tuesday at Belle Plaine.
