Girls track: Teams to watch

Area girls track teams to watch for 2013:

CASCADE

Coach: Tim Frake

2012 state finish: 1st in Class 2A, 82 points (68.5 return)

Returning state placewinners: Mariah Kauder, sr. (1st, distance medley relay; Sydney Rickels, soph. (1st, distance medley relay); Abbey Meyer, jr. (1st, distance medley relay; 1st, 800 relay; 1st, sprint medley relay; 1st, 1,600 relay); Allison Gibbs, sr. (1st, distance medley relay; 1st, 800 relay; 1st, 1,600 relay; 2nd, 400 relay); Tessa Helmle, sr. (1st, 800 relay; 1st, sprint medley relay; 1st, 1,600 relay; 2nd, 400 relay); Bailey Holmes, soph. (2nd, 400 relay).

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach: Tom Mittman

2012 state finish: 6th in Class 4A, 40 points (35.75 return)

Returning state placewinners: Aliyah Gustafson, sr. (2nd, shot put; 3rd discus); Kiera Washpun, jr. (3rd, long jump; 5th, 800 relay; 5th, 400 relay); Sarah Plock, soph. (3rd, 400 hurdles; 4th, 1,600 relay; 5th, 400 relay); Claire Crew, sr. (4th, 1,600 relay; 5th, 800 relay; 5th, 400 relay); Erin Danielson, sr. (4th, 1,600 relay); Soumba Traore, jr. (4th, 1,600 relay); Faithe Garza, soph. (8th, 400 hurdles).

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach: Mike Parker

2012 state finish: 8th in Class 4A, 37 points (34.25 return)

Returning state placewinners: McKennan Cronbaugh, sr. (1st, long jump; 2nd, 400 relay; 5th, 200; 6th, sprint medley relay); Kiana Wilson, soph. (2nd, 400 relay; 6th, sprint medley relay); Courtney Dauber, sr. (2nd, 400 relay); Ashlynn Yokom, jr. (3rd, 1,500; 6th, 3,000); Ashley Knudson, sr. (6th, 3,200 relay; 6th, sprint medley relay); Pombie Silverman, sr. (6th, 3,200 relay); Akimi Oya, sr. (6th, 3,200 relay); Molly Leveille, sr. (6th, 3,200 relay).

JESUP

Coach: Jason Sullivan

2012 state finish: 5th in Class 2A, 37 points (31.5 return)

Returning state placewinners: Lindsey Kite, sr. (1st, 3,200 relay; 1st, 800; 2nd, distance medley relay; 5th, 1,600 relay); Piper Thomas, soph. (1st, 3,200 relay; 2nd, distance medley relay; 4th, 800; 5th, 1,600 relay); Krisha Tonne, soph. (1st, 3,200 relay; 5th, 1,600 relay); Emily Dewald, soph. (2nd, distance medley relay).

SOLON

Coach: Brent Sands

2012 state finish: 3rd in Class 3A, 59 points (48 return)

Returning state placewinners: Lauren Benzing (3rd, 3,000; 3rd, distance medley relay; 3rd, 800; 3rd, 1,500); Jessica Brimeyer, sr. (3rd, distance medley relay; 6th, 800 relay; 8th, 400 relay); Jadyn Miller, sr. (3rd, distance medley relay); Karly Kramer, sr. (3rd, distance medley relay; 6th, 800 relay; 8th, 400 relay); Kelsey Cave, sr. (3rd, high jump; 6th, discus); Kara Misel, sr. (4th, shot put; 7th, discus); Mallory Carr, sr. (6th, 800 relay); Rylee Smith, jr. (6th, shuttle hurdle relay; 7th, 100 hurdles; 8th, 400 relay); Kari Vance, soph. (6th, shuttle hurdle relay); Caitlin Knoedel, sr. (6th, shuttle hurdle relay); Emily Ira, soph. (8th, 400 relay).

WEST BRANCH

Coach: Carol Lumpa

2012 state finish: 4th in Class 2A, 38 points (30 return)

Returning state placewinners: Courtney Bruns, sr. (1st, 3,000); Lindsey Bruns, sr. (3rd, 3,000; 3rd, 1,500); Heather Poula, sr. (3rd, 800 relay); Maddy Russell, soph. (3rd, 800 relay; 4th, shuttle hurdle relay; 4th, sprint medley relay); Kelli Vaughan, sr. (4th, sprint medley relay); Amber Eggers, sr. (4th, shuttle hurdle relay).