DES MOINES — Solon junior Aly Stahle had the edge at the finish line. Her win in the 100-meter hurdles led the Lady Spartans’ charge at the 2024 Class 3A State Track and Field Meet, May 16-18, at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Stahle went into the finals with a two-tenths/second lead over Jayci Reed (Atlantic) and Avery Schmitz, in the preliminary heats. She shaved another ‘tenth’ in the final, for a 15.35 win.
Solon placed in seven events with 27 points, good for 10th among 44 3A teams scoring at State. Aly Stahle was in on four of those. She anchored the shuttle hurdle relay to a fifth-place finish teaming with Mia Stahle, Trea Eidahl and Zoey Grimm. She led off the 4×100 with the baton going to Mia Stahle, Piper Stahle and Mia Duckett for eighth place. And she was not done yet. In the 4×200, Mia Stahle, Duckett, and Kobi Lietz brought the baton around in the 4×200 relay for Aly to tote across for sixth place points. At State, points are awarded for the top-eight places in each event.
“At the beginning of the season, I didn’t think I’d be here today because of an injury (stress fracture, sprained ankle) all the way through to January,” reflects Aly. “But my teammates were supporting me, pushing me each day at practice, and into the season. I was three stepping (hurdles). I four stepped last year. It’s a huge difference.”
That team support meant a lot. “I think we had a pretty good finish to the season. Maybe missing a couple key performers,” acknowledged head coach Jess Hotek. “Overall, we really did well considering that. The girls responded well. Kobi (Lietz) responded at all the right times. Mia Duckett really stepped up, a key component in the relays with those ‘mid-12’ second 100s. Great season for her too. She really stayed healthy.”
Duckett was busy earlier, going sixth in the 100-meter finals. She also teamed with Piper Stahle, Avery Kellen and Lietz for fourth place in the (800-meter) sprint medley relay.
Solon’s success this year depends a lot on the class of ‘24. “Our senior class is pretty talented,” points out Hotek. “Look at the jumps, discus, shot, key hurdlers. These girls really love track. They’re great leaders.”
With Gracie Federspiel dealing with a foot injury in the last few weeks, there has been some re-arranging in the lineup. Teammates Jerzey Haluska, Anna Quillin, Grace Hoeper, and Lietz came through as the meet ended with a 4:03 in the 4×400, good for eighth.
“I think it went really well. I passed some girls, and just tried to use my arms as best I could. Gave it a little kick, everything I had left,” recalled Lietz after her third 400 relay carry of the meet. “It was definitely a good day for us. I’m just really proud of this team and how much we overcame this week!”
Federspiel Is WAMAC Track Athlete of the Year
She might be nursing a sore foot now, but senior Gracie Federspiel had the attention of WaMaC conference coaches the last few seasons. Running mostly 400s and 800s, even a 1500 or 200 depending on the need. In recognition of her efforts, Federspiel has been named 2024 WaMaC Track Athlete of the Year!
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Aly Stahle makes the pass to Mia Stahle in the Class 3A girls 4x100 relay finals at the 2024 State meet. Stahle led off the event with the baton going to Mia Stahle, Piper Stahle and Mia Duckett for eighth place.