Thin roster, strong potential for NV girls

The roster makeup of the Nodaway Valley Wolverine girls track and field team will look different than in past seasons. Small is the operative word for the team as 10 athletes will participate this year. The small numbers will limit what the squad can do in relay events, so don’t be surprised by a heavy emphasis on individual events.

Leading the way for the team are seniors Maddie Weston and Jazz Christesnsen and juniors Haisley Zoubek, Izzy Eisbach and Kylie Nelson. Also out are sophomores Allie Cornelison and Gracey Deemer and freshmen Kaylee Moser and Ava Herrickk.

Weston was eighth at state last year in the 100-meter dash. While they were fourth in the 4x100-meter relay at state, they may have a hard time putting a quartet together for that again. Eisbach comes in off another all-state basketball season and will compete in mid-distance events. Nelson and Christensen will also likely join her in those distances.

The Wolverines face a schedule of 10 outdoor meets, which began Tuesday, April 1 at Bedford. They also have a goal of getting events to the Drake Relays, which are April 24-26, and the state meet.

Nodaway Valley will host two meets this season, including their own co-ed meet April 7 and the Pride of Iowa Conference meet May 5. State qualifying assignments will come out later.

In the POI meet last year the Wolverines were second, scoring 112 points, which was 14 points behind conference champion Wayne. Seven events made it to state last year, including the 100, 200, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100, 4x200 and sprint medley relays.

The Wolverines are coached by Head Coach Brett Welsch and Assistant Coach Jack West.