TV harriers conclude season at qualifier

By By Kelly Terpstra, sports@nhtrib.com

The fearsome foursome that run for the Turkey Valley Trojan cross country team put the finishing touches on their fall campaign by competing in last Thursday’s state qualifier at North Linn.
While no Trojan advanced to this weekend’s state meet at Fort Dodge – it was still a productive year for Sarah Bakula and her small Class 1A squad.
“I thought we ran well. It’s not the easiest course. There were a few hills in there,” said Bakula of the team; first time on the North Linn High School course, which is located near the unincorporated community of Troy Mills.
The course at North Linn was run in a loop three times.
“At least one corner was fairly tight. They’re kind of running sideways on a hill for a part of it,” the TV coach added.
TV’s top finisher was sophomore Bella Stika, who placed 15th overall in a time of 21:47.2.
“Obviously, Bella’s been dealing with some injuries here and there. She still wasn’t 100 percent,” said Bakula.
Bakula thought Stika performanced as expected, noting the sophomore’s been running with hip flexor and hamstring issues.
“They go hand in hand,” said Bakula.
Trojan sophomore Hazel Nieman crossed the finish line in 20th place with a clip of 22:03, which was just off her career personal best of 21:56. That all-time fastest clip for Nieman was achieved the week prior at the UIC meet in Elkader.
“Hazel finished where she’s been running the last few weeks,” said Bakula.
Madalyn Vsetecka, a freshman, produced a career-best run of 24:59.1, which resulted in a 46th-place showing out of 77 runners on the girls side.
Bakula said each of her three girls runners has made strides out on the course in 2024.
“They got in the weight room this year,” said Bakula. “They actually ran summer miles this year so they also had that base a little bit. They’re working on building that.”
TV’s lone boy runner – sophomore Avery Franzen – finished in 89th place out of 100 entrants with a time of 22:34.7.
“He kind of missed the beginning of the season,” said Bakula. “It was still great to have him back out. He handled it really well.”

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