Girls’ track and field 2022: Top area teams, individuals

Top area girls’ track and field teams and individuals to watch for 2022:

Area teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Prairie — The Hawks finished sixth in Class 4A last year, and were only two points away from fourth. With 36.75 of their 38 points returning, it’s fair to say this is a trophy contender. University of Iowa recruit Gabby Cortez paces a stableful of middle-distance standouts.

Iowa City Liberty — The Lightning scored 35 points at state last year (good enough for seventh place in Class 4A), and Iowa State recruit Ashlyn Keeney had a hand in 33 of them. She was the 4A champion in the 800- and 1,500-meter races.

Mid-Prairie — The Golden Hawks are a good bet to claim a fourth straight 2A championship. Danielle Hostetler is a distance ace, Mitzi Evans is a threat from 200 meters to 800, and there are other quality pieces around them. Mid-Prairie returns 53 of its 61 state points from 2021.

Solon — With 46 of 51 points returning from last year’s state team, Solon rates as a slight preseason favorite over Carlisle in the Class 3A race, and the Spartans did nothing to harm that status during the indoor season. Emma Bock spearheads a roster of middle-distance aces.

Western Dubuque — Another 3A state-title contender, thanks to Audrey Biermann, a four-event champion (100, 200, 400, sprint medley relay) last year. If another state-level scorer surfaces, the Bobcats will be in the championship mix.

Williamsburg — Won the 2A team title at the IATC state indoor meet March 10. Kendra Eichhorn leads a sprint relay brigade that finished second in the 400- and 800-meter relays and fourth in the 1,600 relay.

Top returning area individuals

Audrey Biermann, sr., Western Dubuque — Won four state championships in 3A competition last year, the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races and the sprint medley relay.

Jalyssa Blazek, sr., Turkey Valley — Anchored the Trojans’ Class 1A runner-up sprint medley relay last year and was third in the 800, fifth in the 3,200-meter relay and distance medley relay.

Emma Bock, sr., Solon — A member of the Spartans’ Class 3A 3,200-meter and distance medley relay champions last year. Second in the 1,600-meter relay and third in the 800.

Olivia Bohlen, sr., Belle Plaine — Ran on the Class 1A shuttle hurdle relay state-champion quartet last year. Third in the 100-meter hurdles.

Hailey Carolan, sr., Alburnett — Tied for second in the Class 1A high jump last year and ran on the third-place shuttle hurdle relay.

Gabby Cortez, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Ran on the Hawks’ state-champion sprint medley and distance medley relays last year. Second in the 400, fifth in the 1,600-meter relay.

Kendra Eichhorn, sr., Williamsburg — A key relay piece for the Raiders. Ran on their Class 2A second-place 400- and 800-meter relays last year, and fourth in the 1,600-meter relay.

Mitzi Evans, sr., Mid-Prairie — Placed high in four Class 2A events last year, including a title in the distance medley relay. Second in the 800, third in the 400, fourth in the 200.

Danielle Hostetler, soph., Mid-Prairie — A triple-champion in Class 2A last year, winning the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races and the distance medley relay. Eighth in the 800.

Ashlyn Keeney, sr., Iowa City Liberty — Captured Class 4A titles in the 800- and 1,500-meter races last year. Second in the 3,000, fourth in the distance medley relay.

Kaia Holtkamp, sr., Solon — Class 3A champion in the 3,200-meter and distance medley relays last year. Second in the 1,600-meter relay, sixth in the 800.

Silvana Kabolo, jr., Clear Creek Amana — Anchored the Clippers to the Class 3A title in the shuttle hurdle relay last year. Fifth in the 100 hurdles.

Haley Meyer, sr., Lansing Kee — Placed third in the Class 1A 1,500- and 3,000-meter races last year. Fourth in the 800, sixth in the distance medley relay.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com