With the 2022 state title behind them, and a half-dozen key performers gone to graduation, it is time for the 2023 Lady Spartans track team to ‘take their laps.’
“We have some big shoes to fill, especially from those relay units last year,” said girls head track coach Jess Brimeyer. After qualifying for the Class 3A State field in 16 of the 19 events in 2022, the Lady Spartans scored in 11, including all seven relays. They ‘double placed’ in two individual events.
But that was last year. For nearly 60 girls (returning or new prospects) the race is already underway for that next finish line. Besides a dozen key contributors who are back, their teammates are pushing them hard. “Some girls last year did not get the opportunity to compete at the district meet or the State Meet. We were just so loaded in some events,” said Brimeyer. “It will be nice to see who steps up to fill those roles this year.”
Brimeyer, a Lady Spartan herself in high school, has been a Solon assistant the last two seasons. Prior to that, she was the head girls coach for Lone Tree High School. Meanwhile, Brent Sands, who stepped down last fall, after 20+ years as Solon head coach, is still assisting.
With the first two meets, at the IATC Indoor in Ames March 9 and at the WaMaC Indoor meet scheduled last Saturday, the 2023 staff is getting a closer look. “We are pretty deep in the sprints, definitely in the short sprints,” said Brimeyer. “We have to fill some gaps in the longer ones, like the 4×400 and the 4×800 relays (both Solon victories at State, in ’22), because we lost a few of those girls (to graduation). So we definitely have to fill those. But I think we do have some pretty good depth, especially in the short sprints for sure.”
Several seniors made waves at that IATC opener. Sophia Stahle got out fast with a 9.56 prelim time in the 60 hurdles. Gracie Federspiel’s 58.52 was a wide winner in the 400 and was the state all-class leader for the week after. A 10:45 in the 3000 brought a top ten finish to Kayla Young.
With the season getting underway full steam, Brimeyer says their schedule offers a lot of challenge. “The 4A schools we compete against provide us with some more competition. It’s nice to see some of them at meets through the season. They provide us (a Class 3A enrollment school) with more competition. Although at the IATC indoor, we end up combining all the classes,” said Brimeyer noting Solon soon will be at 4A meets hosted by Jefferson and Linn-Mar in the outdoor season.
The outdoor season begins Tuesday, March 28 in Tipton City Park at 4:30 p.m.