Girls track season starts at Dickinson Relays

CEDAR FALLS — Three area girls track teams were at the University of Northern Iowa on Monday as the 2023 indoor track and field season kicked off at the Dickinson Relays.

Three area teams were in attendance, as Mt. Pleasant, Washington and Columbus all made the trip. The three teams combined for a handful of Top-50 finishes.

Just one athlete racked up a Top-10 spot in a field that included teams from all classes in Iowa. Washington senior Grace Voss took ninth place in the high jump.

Voss eclipsed five foot on the high jump bar to give herself a big start to the new season. Mt. Pleasant’s Josie Gilmore lept 4-10 for 22nd, and Washington’s Leighton Messinger was 32nd, at 4-08.

Voss and the Demons had another big result in the 800-meter run. Freshman Iris Dahl led the way for the team, taking 20th place with a final time of 2 minutes, 36.33 seconds. Voss was right behind her in 21st, with a final time of 2:36.57.

Just missing out on a Top-30 finish was Mt. Pleasant’s 4X200 relay team. The Panther squad of Rellana Van Duren, Courtney Raub, Tristian Shull and Scott crossed the tape in 1:57.21, for 31st.

Mt. Pleasant freshman Ella Ensminger showed out in the shot put competition. She threw a 31-06 in the shot to get 34th overall. Washington’s Ally Rees wasn’t far behind her, throwing 30-11.25, for 40th.

Washington’s 4X800 relay team of Kendall Hinrichsen, Lauren Horak, Isabelle Lujan and Abigail Kleese scooped up a 35th-place finish, crossing in 11:08.68. The next best area team was Columbus’ squad of Ariana Vergara, Frannie Sosa, Isabel Rendon and Averi Sipes, which crossed in 12:41.52.

In the 4X400 relay, Washington’s quartet of Abigail Kleese, Kendall Hinrichsen, Loran Horak and Taylor Bartholowmew took 38th. That squad crossed in 4:47.53.

Dahl had a Top-40 finish in the 400-meter dash. She crossed in 1:05.98. Voss took 49th, in 1:06.51.

Mt. Pleasant’s Andi Scott took 45th in the 60-meter dash. The Panther junior crossed the tape in 8.45 seconds.

Washington’s Leighon Messinger was 47th in the 200-meter dash. The freshman crossed the line in 29.08 seconds. She also took 48th in the 60-meter hurdles, in 10.64 seconds, nipping Mt. Pleasant’s Josie Gilmore, who was 51st, in 10.72 seconds.

Mt. Pleasant had one more Top-50 in the long jump. Kynlee White finished the competition in 50th place, leaping 14-06.50.