By BRUCE HEFFLINGER
hefflinger@crescent-news.com
It could be a championship season for the Defiance High School girls track team this spring.
The Lady Bulldogs have three individuals and all four members of a relay team back that advanced to the state meet in 2007 leaving head coach Steve Wahl looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
"We are really excited about this season," stated Wahl, now in his 11th year of coaching at his alma mater. "We had a close second-place finish at last year's tightly-contested WBL meet and we return the majority of those who scored points at that meet.
"We also have a very versatile freshman class that has been added to the mix. If we can avoid injuries and continue to work hard every day in practice we should be able to compete with just about anyone."
The distance running duo of Lauren Fett and Kristen Barth are back for their senior season with high expectations. Fett placed fifth in the state in the 1600 last year, bettering her own school mark with a time of 5:09.88. She was also a member of the 1600 relay team that ran at state.
Barth was a state participant in the 3200, claiming the WBL title along the way.
Senior Kelsey Zipfel was also a member of the 1600 relay that ran in the state meet giving the Lady Dogs another top middle distance runner.
Junior Mikaela Tolbert qualified for state in the 400 and the 1600 relay and also returns, lending leadership to the high jump event as well.
Lena Herrett rounds out the members of the state 1600 relay team. The sophomore also runs hurdles and middle distance events.
Seniors Brittany Bryant (third in the WBL in the long jump) and Audrey Gorman (sixth in the WBL in the long jump) are also back with both adding depth to the sprint events.
"Middle distance on up should be a strength," Wahl said. "Most of our distance crew was part of the cross country team (WBL champs and fourth at state in Division II) and with Mikaela Tolbert we return the district and regional runner-up in the 400.
"We should be very solid in both the 100 and 300 hurdles, in both the high jump and long jump and we should be able to field some very competitive relays. We will field a fairly experienced squad."
Heather Grant (throwing events), Taylor Grant (hurdles) and Marissa Wahl (discus) are other seniors being counted on to contribute this year.
Kelsey Dale was sixth in the high jump at the WBL meet and is another returnee for the Lady Bulldogs along with fellow juniors Taylor Schultz (distance), Amy Spacht (shot put), Jenna Thomas (hurdles, jumping events) and Kelsey VanDemark (distance).
Natalie Klueter (throwing events), Kaitlin Soukup (pole vault) and Megan Vogelsong (distance events) are sophomores that lettered a year ago.
Four key members of the 2007 squad are gone including Katy Born, who was second at state in the pole vault, an event she currently holds the school record (11-4). Mandi Spataro (WBL runner-up in the shot put), Marisa Stover (fifth in the WBL in the shot put) and Kaitlin Switzer (middle distance) are others lost to graduation.
"As is usually the case with female sports, our young girls are going to have to mature quickly," Wahl said. "We will need them to produce from the start. Also, our throwers, pole vaulters and sprinters will need to step up and have good seasons for us this year. They definitely are capable but will need to prove it on the track.
"Depth is another concern. We cannot handle many injuries."
Among the promising newcomers according to Wahl are juniors Kylee Barrett (throwing events), Aspen Ferland (throwing events) and Katja Martinsen (middle distnace), sophomores Anna Meyer (middle distance) and Melinda Frederick (pole vault) and freshmen Brooke Lime (hurdles and sprints), Sadie Daeger (middle distance and high jumpr), Nikki Roehrig (pole vault and long jump), Taylor Vogelsong (throwing events) and Sonya Yarnell (pole vault and long jump).
"Ottawa-Glandorf and Celina have a lot back from last year's teams and are probably still the two teams to beat," Wahl said of the WBL, which last season was won by Ottawa-Glandorf. "However, Shawnee, Wapakoneta, Elida and ourselves are all capable of making a run for the title."