The Mount Vernon girls’ track team qualified for 17 (of 19) events last year for the Class 3A State Meet.
The Mustangs ended up tied for fifth with 34 team points, behind Solon, ADM, Pella and Dubuque Wahlert.
And while Mount Vernon was in almost all the events, it didn’t win any.
“We just kind of nickel-and-dimed it,” Mount Vernon coach Kory Swart said. “We grabbed points where we could get them. We made the relays strong and we were able to sneak into fifth place.”
And while the Mustangs graduated six seniors that competed at state, they welcome a talented freshman class, and at least one transfer with state experience.
Junior Sydney Maue finished second in the state in the high jump last season for Center Point-Urbana. That was one of the two events – the other was the 4×100 – the Mustangs missed out on. (Paige Schurbon did jump at the Drake Relays, but missed out qualifying.)
“Sydney could help us out in sprints, too,” Swart said. “And paired with Paige, we could have two exceptional high jumpers.”
How far can the Mustangs go this spring?
“There are definitely things we can build on from last year, for sure,” Swart said. “We have a core group back, and freshmen will help us out quite a bit.”
Junior Chloe Meester placed 11th in the 100 hurdles last season. Junior Libby Dix placed third in the discus. And sophomore Caliana Whitaker placed sixth in the 200 and 10th in the 100 as a freshman.
Swart can see them all competing for gold this season.
“We didn’t have any one person that could score 10 points last year,” Swart said. “But we won the State Qualifier Meet. That was cool, to get a banner. And we were able to piece things together at state.”
Overall, the Mustangs have a bigger squad than a year ago. Around 38 athletes, Swart said.
“That really helps when trying to put relays together,” Swart said.
A couple freshmen – Eastin Whisner and Erin Moeller – should help with the distance events. Freshman Lucy Wischmeyer could help a lot with sprints and jumps.
“I’m always cautiously optimistic,” Swart said. “We’ve got to feel things out, but I feel this group can be highly competitive.”
MUSTANG GIRLS
2023 state finish – Fifth in 3A.
Returning state participants – Caliana Whitaker, so. (100, 200, 4×400, sprint medley); Chloe Meester, jr. (100 hurdles, shuttle hurdle); Kiersten Swart, so. (4×800, 400 hurdles, shuttle hurdle); Claire Jensen, so. (1,500, 3,000); Libby Dix, jr. (discus); Elsa Appleton, sr. (long jump, shuttle hurdle); Kara Swantz, jr. (4×200, 4×400, sprint medley, distance medley); Katie Dougherty, sr. (4×200, 4×400, sprint medley); Josie Niehaus, sr. (4×200); Sam Schoff, jr. (4×800).
Elsa Appleton clears a hurdle in running last year.