Staff writer
Three of the four relay team members in the 4x800 relay return for the Bluebirds for this season. The 2009 team set a school record and the returners are ready to test that mark again in 2010.
Goessel’s three seniors who participated at state last year — Aspen Frey, Karina Harvey, and Kristen Hoffman — remember the state meet and hope to return in different events. Hoffman qualified last year in the 3200-meter run. Frey competed individually in the 1600-meter run and Harvey ran two laps at state in the 800-meter race. Kendra Flaming qualified in the 400-meter race and Frey, Harvey, and Flaming set a school record at state last year in the 4x800 relay. “It was fun to be on the podium getting a medal …amazing,” said Harvey. Jennifer Van Horn was an alternate to the relay team and just missed making it to state in the 200-meter dash. Shanna Klassen also lettered last year and went to state as an alternate relay runner.
“This year’s freshman girls won the league meet last year in junior high,” said Flaming, “so we are excited about their contributions to the team.” When asked if the girls thought that competing in the 2A class would be tougher than last year in 1A, Frey commented, “If it is tougher competition, then we are going to have to be just as tough.”
The Goessel girls team has 14 members this year. With the experience of those letter-winners from last year and the likely contribution of several newcomers, Goessel girls track team should be competitive again in 2010.
Most of Goessel’s meets will be with Central Kansas Track League teams and the first meet is Tuesday at Marion.