Tigresses depth is a strength heading into track season

Photo contributed Team members for the Tigress track team are (front row, from left) Hannah Brewer, Sarah Maynard, Laura Nelson, Jasmine Kunkel, Emma Makransky; (second row) Jade Mink, C.J. Rhodes, Allie Youngren, Laura Fredenhagen, Heidi Zehr, Ashley Snow and Jessica Eickmeier; (third row) Charissa Graham, Ashley Gilley, Sylvie Tracy, Kara Birch, Andrea Taylor and Jade Atkinson; (back row) coach Pat Hodge, Kaitlyn Gorman, Amber Ruter, Trisha Smith, Jacqui Kane and Sarah Schlund. Absent was Alyssa Donner.

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PRINCETON — Coach Pat Hodge says this year’s Tigress track team, with its mix of established talent and new contributors, will be one of the deepest squads in recent years.

“I think we have a little more depth than we’ve had in the past,” said Hodge. “Even though we don’t have a (last year’s standout) Brittany Lowdermilk, I think we’re stronger down the line a little further.

“It’s going to be an interesting season, we’ve got a lot of new faces and from what we’ve seen in the indoor season, a lot of them are going to make some nice contributions for us,” Hodge said.
One of Hodge’s top returning talents, senior pole vaulter Alyssa Donner, will look to improve on her fourth-place finish at state last year.

“Alyssa has worked her time over the off season to stay shape ... she’s ready, I think, to continue her success,” Hodge said.

Junior Sarah Maynard, who was a state qualifier in the triple jump, as well as the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, is another of the returning standouts that Hodge is counting on to lead his team in the jumps.
Both Donner and Maynard have been performing at a top level already this spring, with both qualifying for the Illinois Prep Top Times meet in Bloomington, the unofficial state meet for the indoor season. Freshman Jasmine Kunkel will join them, after qualifying for the 55m hurdle event.

Also returning for their senior seasons on this year’s Tigress squad are Sarah Schlund, who was the NCIC Lincoln shot-put champ last year, as well as middle distance runner Heidi Zehr, and vaulter/sprinter Andrea Taylor.
Junior Jacqui Kane rejoins the track team after playing soccer last year. Kane, who finished third in the conference in the high jump as a freshman, will look to get back on track in her junior year.

Other juniors on this year’s team include Laura Nelson, who ran on last year’s 4x800 relay that finished in sixth place at the Erie sectional, distance runner Sylvie Tracy, and Amber Ruter, who is positioned right behind Schlund in the throws.

Sophomore Ashley Snow, who finished third at the fresh-soph conference meet in the discuss, will look to continue her success in the throws. Joining Snow in the talented sophomore class are Trisha Smith, who was a member of last year’s sectional medal winning 4x800 relay, as well as sprinters Hannah Brewer, Jessica Eickmeier and Ashley Gilley and middle-distance runners Allie Youngren and April Zehr.

This year’s freshman class is already making a name for itself, setting a freshman indoor record in the 4x200 relay already this spring.

“We’ve got some nice talent in that class, especially,” said Hodge.

Joining Kunkel on the record setting 4x200 squad were sprinters Kara Birch, Laura Frednhagen and Jade Atkinson.

Hodge also likes what he sees from freshman distance runners Emma Makransky and C.J. Rhodes, who he says can help the team in any event from the 400m on up.  Sprinter Kaitlyn Gorman and vaulter/sprinter Charissa

Graham round out the new freshman recruits.
“We have a nice combination of experience and youth coming in,” Hodge said. “It helps us to fill out the events a little better, especially on the track.”

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Princeton Tigresses track

Conference: NCIC

Head coach: Pat Hodge (15th season)

Assistants: Andy Puck

Returning state qualifiers: Senior – Alyssa Donner (Pole Vault, medalist); Junior – Sarah Maynard (Triple jump, 4x100, 4x200).

Other key returners: Sarah Schlund (Sr.), Jacqui Kane (Jr.), Laura Nelson (Jr.), Tricia Smith (Soph.), Ashley Snow (Soph.).

Key additions: Jasmine Kunkel (Fr.), Emma Makransky (Fr.), C.J. Rhodes (Fr.).

Key losses: Brittany Lowdermilk (100m, 200m state medalist).

Outlook: The Tigresses will field a deep squad this year, and will have a good mix of returning and incoming talent.