Three Dike-New Hartford sports teams will be in action Thursday.
The girls and boys track & field teams will compete in their first outdoor meets of the season at Waverly-Shell Rock. The Wolverines will be among the smaller schools at the meet, which will feature mostly Class 3A and 4A schools. Girls Head Coach Rachael Cheeseman says her team looks forward to the challenge that larger schools will present.
“It’s always a good confidence boost, because we know that we can compete with those bigger schools,” Cheeseman says. “Like we don’t back down. So it’s just nice to see for the confidence of those girls. Like, ‘Hey, if I can go and compete against these bigger schools, then for sure I can have some confidence when I’m going into our teams against the NICL.’ We’re really lucky, this area is just great for female sports in general. I mean, how many teams around the NICL do we have at all kinds of state sports. We’re really lucky that we don’t have to travel very far to get to some really good competition. So it doesn’t matter if we’re going to Hudson, Jesup, wherever we are, it’s gonna be great competition.”
Standout performers include Macie Graves in the 200 and Izzy Houts in the distance races, who placed in the top 10 at the IATC Indoor Championships.
Sprinters Devon Lotts and Cameron Decker are expected to headline the Wolverine boys team after top 10 IATC Indoor Championship placings. Other schools at the meet include Charles City, Hudson, Mason City, New Hampton, Waterloo East, Waterloo West and the hosts. Action will begin at 5:00 p.m.
The girls soccer team will begin its season by hosting Union. The Wolverines were scheduled to play at GC-GR Monday, but that game was postponed due to weather. The Wolverines are coming off a 10-7 season last year, and will have the tall task of replacing the program’s all-time goals leader, Camille Landphair, who graduated last year. However, seven starters from that team are back, including goalkeeper Miranda Tyler.
Union is 0-1, having lost 3-1 to Vinton-Shellsburg on Monday. No players graduated from last year’s 4-11 team. The Wolverines won 4-1 when the teams met last year. The kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m.
