Plainsmen’s roster mostly underclassmen

BELLE PLAINE— It will be a young squad for the Belle Plaine girls track and field team this season.

Of the 14 out for the sport this season, 11 are underclassmen (six freshmen, five sophomores).

The Plainsmen took one event to state last season. Alyssa Steinback qualified in the 100-meter hurdles, but she graduated last year.

The team placed in the middle of the pack at the South Iowa Cedar meet last season, finishing sixth with 55 team points.

The Plainsmen are the defending conference champions in the shuttle hurdle relay, of which Steinback was part. The relay was less than a second away from qualifying for state.

Ava Grieder and Kennedy Coover return from that quartet. Coover also placed at the conference meet in the 800, finishing sixth.

Other returning conference medalists are Maya Johnson, Denisyn Adams and Kaylie Donnelly. Adams also placed runner-up in the discus at the state qualifying meet last season.

With a small roster comprised of six freshmen, look for the newcomers to step up this season for the Plainsmen as point scorers.

“We are young, but have a lot of heart,” Belle Plaine coach Julie Mantz said.

The seasons opens up for the Plainsmen next Tuesday at their girls only home meet.