Perry’s growing track stars shine at state meet
For the second consecutive season, Perry sent multiple runners to the state track meet in Des Moines. But this year had a couple of unique twists that have even more positive signs for the future of the Bluejays and Jayettes.
Family Matters
A qualifier last season in the 400-meter hurdles as a sophomore, Owen Myers made it back to Drake Stadium in the same event to close the chapter on his junior campaign. This time around, he was joined by his sister, Lily, as part of the distance medley team that placed 23rd on Friday.
“We were looking forward to it all week, both of us, and it’s good to be here together,” Owen said after finishing 19th in his event.
A testament to his improvements and the stiff competition, Owen finished with a time of 57.67 seconds to take nearly two seconds off his time that netted him 22nd place in 2023.
“Just looking forward to next year,” Owen said, having one more chance to run alongside his sister (and perhaps with multiple events).
Fresh(man) Look
Lily echoed her older brother, excited to join him Friday as a participant herself with the medley team, and hopefully one more time in 2025. And with a relay team around her that doesn’t have a single senior, Perry looks to make that happen.
Running Friday with fellow freshman Cate Erickson, newcomer-sophomore Treasure Moore, junior Taryn Nehring and Myers, Perry placed 23rd in Class 3A with a time of 4 minutes 31.82 seconds — their second-best time of the season. And of that quartet, Nehring was the only runner with high school experience. But that didn’t mean there were lesser expectations.
Although just a freshman, Myers came into the season off a Heart of Iowa Conference cross country title, elevating her status among distance events. But she wasn’t the only piece that helped Perry make it to state. And even though it’s been nearly a decade since a Perry relay team earned a seat, head coach Matt Hardy wasn’t surprised by the success.
“I’ve kept an eye on Cate and Lily since seventh grade since we have the same practice facility, so I had a good feeling that we were going to have some solid pieces coming in as freshman,” Hardy said. “And it was nice to get Treasure to come out as a sophomore.”
The team’s leader in both the 100 and 200-meter events this year, Moore tried out for the team last season but being new to the district, said she got cold feet after a couple of practices. After getting more comfortable in Perry, Moore told the Perry Chief that she decided to come back, helping complete what turned out to be a landmark season.
Over the past five years, Perry has had qualifying sprinters Kennedy Tunink and Lydia Olejniczak, and Jaylene Karolus as a distance runner. But with this new group breaking a barrier with a group, Hardy said this is one of the best groups he has had the opportunity to coach. And there’s still room to grow.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Perry’s growing track stars shine at state meet
