OTTUMWA — Davis County coach Josh Husted found out last weekend that he was one vehicle short.

The Mustang girls track skipper figured on taking a few girls down to the state track meet this weekend, so he reserved an SUV for the trip.

Thanks in large part to the success of a few Mustang freshmen, he realized that he should have reserved two. Amanda Wakelin had a lot to do with that.

Wakelin raised a lot of eyebrows in her first season of varsity track action. She has the fourth-fastest state-qualifying time in Class 3A in the 400 dash, and the speedy youngster won the event in every meet she participated in this season.

“She’s really put things together as a freshman,” said Husted. “The sky is the limit for her, as long as she continues to develop her skills, she can go a long way — in any event.”

In all, Wakelin will be competing in three events at state this weekend, as she helped push Davis County’s 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams to state.

“She’s willing to run whatever,” said Husted. “The sky is the limit for her.”

The sky is also the limit for Ottumwa’s Sarah Ryan, who did Wakelin one better.

Ryan, also a freshman, will compete in four events this weekend, as the young Bulldog will participate in the 100 dash, the long jump and the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. According to the record books, no Ottumwa girl has ever qualified for state in four events as a freshman.

“I’m looking forward to it — I’m kind of nervous,” said Ryan. “Two of my events are relays, so it’s mostly a team thing.”

Ryan had the opportunity to compete on Drake Stadium’s blue oval at the Drake Relays, so she has some idea of what she’s getting into this weekend.

“Now that I’ve been there already, it should take a little pressure off and I should be able to perform a little better,” she said.

Ottumwa coach Steve Green is understandably excited about Ryan’s success as a freshman, as well as the success of teammate Allyson Sedore, a freshman who will also compete on the 4x200 relay team.

“Sarah has worked real hard this year,” said Green. “She is dedicated in the weight room. She still has goals. She knows how to set her goals for short term and long term. I’m real excited for her future.”

Ryan’s pairing with Sedore provides a foundation for the future of Bulldog girls track.