Freshmen phenoms: Youth rules

By JAMES GROB, Courier sports editor

May 15, 2008 12:30 am

— 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.
“Allyson has been an unsung hero here,” said Green. “She’s been one of those athletes that’s been under the radar, just because she’s steadfast. She’s never boastful. She lets her performance do the talking. When she runs, she almost floats. She hasn’t even hit her full potential for her career.”
Husted likes what he sees when he looks at the future of Davis County girls track as well. Rheanna Day, another Mustang frosh, was one leg of Davis County’s qualifying 4x400 team. Day is battling an injury, so filling in for her at state is Kelly Ashmore — also a freshman.
“These kids worked hard,” said Husted. “They wanted to do well — and they succeeded — and not a lot of freshmen do that. I’m proud of them.”
Several freshman girls around the area could make things interesting on the track for the next few years. Pekin’s Jessi Martin and Kati Spilman each qualified for state in two events, as Martin will run in the 100 dash and the sprint medley while Spilman will take part in the 4x400 and 4x800. Chariton’s Tanna Seuferer will be in the high jump as well as the Charger 4x200 team.
Megan McDonough of Eddyville-Blakesburg and Brooke Barclift of Van Buren — both freshmen — will compete in the long jump, Cardinal freshmen Jenna Courtney and Felisha Durflinger make up one-half of the Comet shuttle hurdle team, while Oskaloosa freshman Sam Lowry is on the shuttle hurdle team while freshman teammate Kylie Adams is on the distance medley team.
As for the boys, freshmen appearances at the state meet are even more rare — but don’t tell that to Albia’s Kile Overmyer and Curt Coughlin, who make up one-half of the Blue Demons’ state-bound 4x200 relay team.
Other ninth-grade boys at the state meet include Jake McGinnis of E-B, who will compete in the shuttle hurdle relay and is an alternate on the 4x400 team. Van Buren boasts two freshmen, as Grant Ledger will compete on the 4x800 team while Spencer Watson is on the 4x100 team.
Fairfield sprinter Mike Hammes is an alternate on the Trojan’s 4x100 and 4x200 teams, while Pekin’s Hunter Maeder is an alternate on the shuttle hurdle team, Cardinal’s Tyler Goodell is an alternate on the distance medley team and MSAE’s Wesley Folz is an alternate on the 4x800 team.