North Butler’s Addison Voelker transitioned nicely during her freshman season into an integral role for the Bearcats distance running team.
Voelker at her first state track meet, showed strong endurance in a crowded field of Class 1A runners, as she placed in the Top 8 in both the 1500m and 3000m. The top finish at her state debut was 6th in the 3000m in 10:58.74.
Voelker says she found her pace and locked in on the chase for a medal.
“I started off just at my good pace and just slowly tried to start catching people,” says Voelker. “When I heard in the last lap or two that I was like ninth, I was like, I really want to push for that medal, and that’s what I did.”
Voelker was 8th in the 1500m and set a new PR of 5:00.92 and says distance running was a draw for the determination that it takes and remains committed to training.
“I was just really excited because it’s what I’ve trained for this whole time. I do cross country too and I feel like I have natural talent but also I just like the determination that it takes. I just hope to keep improving and maybe place higher next year.”
Voelker was also part of North Butler’s Distance Medley relay that placed 17th at state in 4:28.33.
