By Becky Walz,
Success is a choice.
That seems to be the motto for the 2022 Turkey Valley girls’ track team.
With six returning state athletes, 14 letter winners and numerous newcomers excited to make their mark in the Trojan uniform, Turkey Valley is eyeing their first conference title in school history.
Success is a choice.
That seems to be the motto for the 2022 Turkey Valley girls’ track team.
With six returning state athletes, 14 letter winners and numerous newcomers excited to make their mark in the Trojan uniform, Turkey Valley is eyeing their first conference title in school history.
Looking to lead the Trojans into the new season is head coach Dalton Hackman, who has been with the program for four season, along with assistants Sarah Bakula and Cally Mueller.
A great finish
The Trojans of 2021 had several returning letter winners, including some athletes with state experience. Getting on the track often, Turkey Valley continued to show improvement throughout the season and snuck into third at the Upper Iowa Conference meet with 108 points. Leading the way with four gold medals was Jalyssa Blazek, who won the 800-meter run and anchored three relays to titles. Relays winning gold at the UIC meet included the sprint medley of Kara Reicks, Clare Courtney, Olivia Snyder and Blazek in 1:55.18. Later the 4×800 quartet of Josie Weber, Cambree Kruse, Jaycie Byrne and Blazek broke the tape in 10:26.32. In the distance medley it was Reicks, J. Weber, Byrne and Blazek winning gold in 4:25.88.
At the state qualifier, Turkey Valley was within four points of winning the title with 91 points and sent six events to state. Snyder punched an individual ticket to state in the 100-meter dash, as did Blazek in the 800-meter run. The Trojans had four relays also qualify — 4×800, sprint medley, distance medley and 4×100.
The Trojans saved the best for last, picking up 22 points on the big stage.
Leading the way was the sprint medley relay of Reicks, Courtney, Snyder and Blazek in 1:52.32, earning silver and just shy of breaking their own school record set the previous week. Blazek placed third in the 800-meter run in 2:20.32, breaking the previous record of 2:21.41. The 4×800 crossed the finish line fifth and scored points for TV in 10:08.13. Members of that relay were J. Weber, Byrne, Kruse, and Blazek. Posting a new school record time of 4:18.48 and placing fifth was the distance medley relay of Reicks, J. Weber, Byrne and Blazek. The 4×100 also competed at state, finished 21st with members of Reicks, Snyder, Courtney and Kylie Wurzer.
Key losses
The Trojans had five athletes graduate from the squad. Leaving the biggest shoes to fill were Jaycie Byrne and Kylie Wurzer. Both were key members with state experience. Byrne joined fellow Trojans in finishing fifth in both the 4×800 and distance medley, as well as competing in the 4×200, while Wurzer was a state qualifier as a member of the 4×100 relay.
Sophia Adams and Saylor Drilling competed in hurdles and sprints, while Aleah Hackman was a mainstay in the throwing events.
Strong athletes back
Although the Trojans will be without several strong athletes, Coach Hackman has several names he can call on to provide strength this season.
Leading the way is Jalyssa Blazek with is a five-time state medalist and will be looking for four more this year. As a junior, she broke the individual 800-meter run record, finishing third at state. She also was a member of the record-breaking sprint medley relay which finished second and the fifth-place distance medley.
Joining Blazek on the track with accolades to their name are Kara Reicks, Josie Weber, Cambree Kruse, Clare Courtney and Olivia Snyder — all state qualifiers from the 2021 season as members of the various relays.
Add in a trio of freshman athletes — Layni Schuckhhardt, Kinsey Reicks and Taylor Neuzil — who have already shown promise and the Trojans will be a force to be reckoned with.
Eyes on the prize
With spring arriving early, the Trojans have been outside getting accustomed to the elements.
“We have a great senior group returning that has set the tone at practice so far this year,” noted Coach Hackman. “This group is full of leaders and are keeping the intensity of qualifying of this track program moving in the right direction.”
Like always, Coach Hackman sees staying healthy as being a key piece to having 2022 be successful.
When it comes to the conference race, Coach Hackman believes Turkey Valley will be a strong contender for the UIC title, battling with Kee High and North Fayette Valley.
“I look for multiple records to be broken, several meets to be won, a chance to win the conference title and the opportunity to send many athletes to the state meet this year,” said Coach Hackman. “Look for the girls track team to make some noise this year.”
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