Track: FHS girls team features key returners, youth movement

“This is a hard-working group of girls that wants to perform well this year, and they are willing to put in the time and effort it takes at practices to make their season successful,” said Jen Erickson, who is in her 13th year as head coach. “There is a core group that enjoys the challenge of a hard practice, and they set the example for the rest of the girls, encouraging them to work hard.”

Erickson said she expects “several surprises this year as the younger girls find events that suit their talents, while the more experienced athletes combine their understanding of an event and maturity to excel in their performances.”

The list of top returning athletes includes senior Alicia Hendrickson, who already made history this season with a new school record in the pole vault after clearing 10 feet at Tuesday’s indoor meet at Bemidji State University.

“After watching her vault Tuesday, I don’t think the 10-0 record will stay in place long,” Erickson said. “She has to potential to break it several times this season.”

Hendrickson, a three-time state qualifier in the pole vault, also competes in other field events and has made impressive showings indoors this season in the long jump and triple jump.

“She is an athlete who will be a top performer in any sprinting event or jumping event, but will have to choose the four events that will give her the most success throughout the season,” Erickson said.

Breanna Shofner returns in the sprints, where Erickson expects her to be a top competitor in the 200-meter dash.

As an eighth-grader last year, Shofner was in the final heat at sections for that event and battling for second place, but tripped just before the finish line.

“Breanna will also be a regular in the 400-meter dash, an event where she has the potential to be an outstanding runner once she learns how to run the race,” Erickson said.

Courtney Olson, who has been one of the Broncos’ top sprinters since the seventh grade, has been slotted to compete in the sprint relays and 100 dash once the outdoor season is in progress.

Falls has a small group of distance runners that features Amber Harms in the 3200 run.

“Amber focuses on the 3200, but could easily run the open 800 or the mile,” Erickson said. “It’s not too often that you find a distance runner that continues to enjoy and excel at running the two-mile race in track year after year.”

Two other distance runners include Rachel Foss and Amy Auran, whom the head coach said “can run anything from the 400 to 3200.”

Auran also competes in the pole vault.

In the throwing events, an eighth-grader, Savanah Olson, has already placed at a multi-meet in the shot put.

“It’s easy to forget that this year she is only an eighth-grader when you see her throwing,” Erickson said. “She will do very well in both the shot and discus this year as she competes in both junior high and varsity meets.”

In addition to seeking improvement throughout the season, Erickson said she wants to advance as many athletes as possible to the section meet.

“We would like to place higher as a team at the IRC meet and of course take home the sub-section trophy instead of the runner-up one this year,” she said.

Erickson expects Grand Rapids to be a “powerhouse” in IRC competition, while Hibbing and Greenway / Nashwauk should also provide the Broncos good competition, with the latter seen as the sub-section team to beat.

“In the section meet, Esko has dominated the meet for several years,” she said.