BY IAN SMITH, Courier sports writer
May 15, 2008 12:26 am
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OTTUMWA — Trisha VanDusseldorp faces a monumental task this weekend.
The Oskaloosa senior must overcome two of the best athletes in the state to win her first state title.
She’s primed for the challenge.
“She’s getting ready for one last hurrah in the 800,” Oskaloosa coach Betsy Luck said. “She’s ready to fire up one last good one.”
Vandusseldorp is just one of the talented area seniors heading to Des Moines this weekend for the 2008 Girls State Track Meet. Fairfield, Pekin and Davis County are sending a host of tracksters up north. Centerville, Chariton, Eddyville-Blakesburg and Fairfield Maharishi will all get in on the action.
VanDusseldorp might be the most talented of the bunch headed to the state’s capital. In most years, VanDusseldorp would be a shoo-in for a title in the 800 meter run. Unfortunately, Katie and Betsy Flood both reside in the same event.
The sisters from West Des Moines Dowling own the two best qualifying times in the 800 for this weekend’s state meet. VanDusseldorp is right on their heels. During districts, she clocked a time of 2:17.01 — third best in Class 4A, behind the Flood sisters.
The Oskaloosa speedster also owns experience on the blue oval at Drake Stadium. Last season, VanDusseldorp finished sixth in the 800 at state.
VanDusseldorp knows what she’s up against in the talented Flood sisters. She competed against them at the Drake Relays earlier this year.
To prepare for her last chance at a state title, VanDusseldorp worked on her pace in the weeks leading up to state. Luck said VanDusseldorp’s goal is to finish under 2:20.00.
“We are sticking with the same plan we’ve had all year,” Luck said.
The 800 isn’t the only event VanDusseldorp is competing in this weekend. She is also running in the 400 meter hurdles, the shuttle hurdle relay and the distance medley. Her contributions on the track will continue to be big for the Indians, but Luck noted what VanDusseldorp does off the track.
“She’s awesome. What she does on the track is fantastic,” Luck said. “How she gets her teammates fired up and prepared mentally and physically, it’s great to see.”
VanDusseldorp won’t be the only busy area senior athlete this weekend. Pekin’s Allison Shipley is slated to run in three different events. The senior qualified for the 100 meter hurdles by running a time of 15.47 in districts.
The Panthers will send three other seniors to Des Moines. Kayla Northup, Paige Atwood and Amy Horras are competing in their last track meet this weekend for the Panthers.
The Fairfield Trojans are a contender for the Class 3A crown after qualifying in 13 different events. Seniors Megan Thompson and Margaret Slechta combine for six of those events by themselves.
Thompson is competing in the 400 hurdles, shuttle hurdle relay, 4x800 and sprint medley. She qualified for the 400 hurdles by running a 1:07.54.
Slechta joins Thompson in the 4x800 and will also run in the 800 meter run and the distance medley. Danielle Fry, another Fairfield senior, hopes to place in the discus.
Davis County started the year low on numbers, but ended it with a number of state qualifiers. One of those qualifiers is Madison Henderson, who will be making her third trip to state in the shot put.
“She’s very excited about this season,” said Mustang coach Josh Husted. “Actually, I think she’s more excited to be taking a lot of her teammates with her than anything.”
Mustang seniors Mary Leer and Felica Shunk will toe the starting line in the 4x400 meter dash this weekend, and Davis County will compete in five events at state.
“When you only take one or two girls to state, let’s face it, it can get a little lonely,” said Husted. “When you bring a lot of your teammates with you, it’s a lot more fun and a lot more interesting. Mary, Felicia and Madi have provided the senior leadership that this team needed, and they’re excited to be going.”
Katie Dekker starred on the basketball court this winter, and now she is in the state track meet. The Centerville senior qualified in both the 400 meter hurdles (1:09.77) and the high jump (5-00.00).
MSAE is sending a pair of seniors north this weekend. Lanie Goldstein and Yelana Loiselle will both compete in the 4x200.
E-B’s Taylar Swartz is another multi-sport athlete taking the track for the last time. Swartz is part of the Rockets’ 4x800 team that qualified by running a 10:12.84 in districts.
In Class 3A, Chariton’s Aimee Delpierre is preparing for the 100, 4x200 and the long jump. Delpierre qualified for the long jump with a leap of 16-00.50.
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