The Dike-New Hartford girls track & field team was the champion at Thursday’s Lady Bulldog Invitational at Hampton-Dumont-CAL. With 90 points, the Wolverines edged second place Saint Ansgar by one point.
DNH had first place finishes in the sprint medley, 4×100 and 4×200.
“It’s been really exciting, earlier this week, we got second in a meet by half a point,” Head Coach Rachael Cheeseman says. “And we talked a lot about how every point matters. And they really took that to heart. They realized that seriously, every inch, every step, every point matters. And I really like to see how they take ownership of that. So it’s exciting that it all paid off tonight.”
The team score came down to the final race, and a third place finish in the 4×400 was just enough to keep the Wolverines atop the standings.
West Fork placed third, including a first place tie by Keara Wood in the high jump and a second place performance in the 4×400.
Iowa Falls-Alden placed fourth. Champions included Isabelle Janssen in the 100 hurdles and Caitlyn Archer in the high jump tie.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL placed fifth. In her first season in the event, senior Lily Hambly won the 400 hurdles.
“It felt really good running it tonight,” Hambly says. “I’ve been a pretty consistent 400 runner, so just adding the hurdles was something new to me. Personally, I think it’s kind of crazy. I never expected to be in this position, so I think it’s kind of cool.”
The Bulldogs won two more titles with Charlee Morton in the shot put and discus.
Clarksville placed ninth. Emmalee Manwarren won the long jump. They had second place performances by Manwarren in the 200 and the 4×200.
North Butler placed 11th, led by a second place finish in the shuttle hurdle relay.
Belmond-Klemme placed 15th, led by the distance medley placing sixth.
Dike-New Hartford sprint medley/4×100:
Isabelle Janssen, Iowa Falls-Alden:
Lily Hambly, Hampton-Dumont-CAL:
Hampton-Dumont-CAL coach Nikki Donnenwerth:
Dike-New Hartford coach Rachael Cheeseman:
