The dynamic hurdle duo of Kaylee Packham and Maggie Anderson is back for another year of competition. Photo by Alan Versaw.
There are two things you need to know about the Loveland High School girls track team. Number one, they won the 5A state title last spring. Number two, they should be better this year. Start crafting your strategies now--you'll appreciate having the extra time.
It's been said on these pages many times that Loveland did it on the strength of relays last spring. It is no small feat to post 35 points in relays in any classification. It's nearly unheard of at the 5A level. Yet, that was exactly the rocket that Loveland took to last year's state title. All five relays scored at least six points.
They probably have the talent coming back to at least approach that number of points in relays again this year. Here's the hang of it, though--they may not need all those relay points this year.
So, besides relays, what does Loveland have coming back this year?
Plenty, that's what.
Let's start with hurdles. Maggie Anderson and Kaylee Packham finished 4-5 in last year's state 100 hurdles. Both were well under 15.00. It will help immensely if they can effectively extend their range to the 300 hurdles this year. Although both qualified for state in the 300 hurdles last spring, both failed to make finals. Figure that's a likely point of remediation for the Loveland coaching staff this spring.
From the hurdles, take a little stroll over to the throwing venues. If things go decently this year, both Chelsea Brewer and Anna Gerhard have the potential to score at state in both throwing events. Brewer returns as the third-ranked discus thrower and fifth-ranked shot putter in the classification.
Worried yet? You should be.
We haven't even mentioned the name of Kailie Hartman yet. Hartman figures to anchor the distance events at LHS once again this spring, hoping to duplicate--or perhaps even improve upon--the 12 individual points she contributed to the cause last spring. Hartman missed placing in the 1600 last spring--perhaps a little fatigued from a heavy load the first two days of the state meet. Regardless, Hartman ranks among the top five returners in the 800, 1600, and 3200. The even better news for Hartman and company is that, based on last fall's cross country results, this year's version of the distance crew should be a little improved over last year's. Even if nowhere else, that should make a difference in the placement of the 4x800 team.
We're not done yet, folks.
Hustle back to the sprints where you'll find Stephanie Hutsell. Although more of a threat in the 200 than the 100, Hutsell has clear potential to score in both events between contributions on sprint relays.
Jacquie Schilling just might make some noise in the high jump. She doesn't rank among the top ten returners, but she's close enough that it's worth a thought.
This is a team that can--and will--hurt you across of wide spectrum of events. It's not going to be easy to knock Loveland off the pedestal. It's way too soon to crown a champion, but the Indians get my vote as the preseason favorite.