Meet Emma Stanley, a rising star in distance races for the Ames girls track and field team

Emma Stanley was not happy with Ames assistant track and field coach Ravi Bhave during the Little Cyclones' track and field meet at Grimes on March 30.

Bhave, who heads the Ames boys cross country program, had watched Stanley run at the middle school level with his daughter Bradie. She dominated her competition at most meets, so he wanted to give the freshman a challenge right off the bat.

Stanley was outstanding in the 800 and 1,500-meter races during middle school. But she had never run the 3,000.

Stanley did well for her first time competing in the longest individual event in girls track, placing 10th with a time of 11 minutes, 34.89 seconds. But she was not a fan of the race.

"She told me if I ever run her in a 3,000 again, she is quitting track," Bhave said. "I told her I am going to call her bluff on that one."

Stanley admitted the race was tough. But she is always willing to try something new to help the team.

“I don’t love it,” said Stanley. “But it’s nice to be able to run more events.”

Over the past few weeks, Stanley has come on strong as a distance runner for the Ames girls.

The Little Cyclone distance group was already in good shape with the return of a pair of talented juniors in multiple-time state place winner Marley Turk and state cross country competitor Lauren Risdal. But one of their top runners, state place winner Claire Helmers, is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Needing someone to help fill the void left by Helmers' absence, Stanley quickly rose to the occasion.

“I’ve known Emma since I was little, and she’s been a great addition to our team,” Turk said. “It’s been a great influence to have another younger runner, especially a freshman. She comes with other talented freshmen, and they’ve been a great addition to our team. They’re going to be putting down some really fast times, and they’re going to represent Ames really well.”

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Stanley has been an especially vital part of the 4x800 relay team. The Little Cyclones placed 11th in 4A during the event at last year's state meet, and through Tuesday they were sitting at 11th among 4A teams, according to Varsity Bound, with a time of 9:41.60.

“She’s been a crucial part of our 4x8,” Risdal said. “It’s been a really great addition to our team.”

Bhave was impressed with her performance as the lead runner when the 4x800 runners ran that peak time during the Norwalk Invitational on April 8.

"The Norwalk 4x8 is a standout race for me," Bhave said. "We put her in the leadoff spot, and she wasn't afraid to put herself in the race and ran a very inspiring leg."

Stanley said the 4x800 is her favorite event.

“I like having a team to run with and being able to push each other,” Stanley said. “There really good to run with. We have a good environment at practice every day.”

She wants to help keep the strong 4x800 tradition going at Ames. In addition to last year, the Little Cyclones placed second at state in 2022 and 13th in 2021.

“It’s really cool to come into a team that’s had so much success in the past,” Stanley said. “I hope to carry that on.”

Turk, Risdal and sophomore Katie Campbell were the other runners who competed in the 4x800 for Ames at Norwalk. Senior Charley Bleyle has also run the race once, helping Ames finish in 9:48.16.

Turk and Risdal have been a huge help to Stanley in her first season of varsity track.

“It’s easy,” Stanley said. “I have people to look up to, follow along with and show me everything.”

They both see a lot of potential in the young runner.

“In workouts, she’s always up there with us,” Turk said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of growth over these next couple of years. She could definitely take down some of those (school) records.”

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Individually, Stanley said she enjoys running the 800 and 1,500.

"Emma has run really well in the 1500," Bhave said. "Her mark in that race is impressive for anyone, let alone a freshman."

Stanley's best time in the 1,500 is 5:06.38, which makes her the third-fastest competitor on the team behind Turk and Risdal. She ran the 800 in 2:30.87.

“Running in an open event at state would be cool," Stanley said. "I don’t know if that’s a goal right now, but definitely the 4x800.”

Stanley's coaches and teammates like her chances of competing on the Blue Oval at Drake Stadium this season. And she is just getting started.

"Emma is willing to put in the work and has already shown she is up to racing at a high level," Bhave said. "I expect her to continue improving as a racer, and think she is ready for an even bigger breakthrough."

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames freshman Emma Stanley is making her mark as a distance runner