Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond girls track and field team are, front row (left to right): Alex Leiting, Anna Lursen, Brianna Saathoff and Sasha Hess. Back: Lily Eslick, Myrah Lemon, Josie Harvey, Mariah Myers and Faith Shirbroun.

The St. Edmond girls track and field team returns a strong nucleus with not only state experience, but medals from the elite meet on their resume.

In fact, the Gaels have already found plenty of success in the early indoor portion of their schedule.

St. Edmond head coach CJ Tracy is hoping both of those attributes combine to produce a large group of qualifiers to Drake Stadium in Des Moines by the end of the year for a big state finale in 2025.

Senior Mariah Myers, who has signed with the University of Iowa to play softball, is back after placing second in the shot put in Class 1A a season ago. Myers also qualified for state and placed seventh at the Drake Relays in the discus last spring.

Joining Myers are seniors Josie Harvey and Sasha Hess. Harvey was third in the 100-meter hurdles last year at state. Hess has competed on state relays in each of the past two seasons.

“The upperclassmen — especially those three seniors — have been so important to the growth of our program,” Tracy said. “They are terrific leaders. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish this year.”

Anna Lursen, a junior, was fourth in the 800, ran the anchor of the third place 4×800 relay and was on the 10th-place sprint medley with classmates Faith Shirbroun, Brianna Saathoff and Hess in 2024.

“Getting Anna back healthy before basketball was big,” Tracy said. “She hasn’t had any issues since, and as long as she can keep up with her regimen, I expect big things out of her this year.

“She will play an important factor in helping us get as many qualifiers to state as we can.”

Harvey, Lursen, Shirbroun, Saathoff and Hess all competed at state in 2023 as well. Myers finished third in the 4A discus that year at Fort Dodge Senior High, also qualifying in the shot put.

“Faith and Brianna are two kids we are going to count on once again,” Tracy said. “They have been around and have been important in terms of getting our track program to where it is today.”

Juniors Laryn Ferris, sophomores Lily Eslick, Breeanna Kalvig, McKenna Kvale, Alex Leiting, Myrah Lemon and Emmersyn Peters, and freshmen Ava Bradley, Charlie Stucky and Naomi Valles round out the roster.

“We have some big holes to fill and those underclassmen will need to step up,” Tracy said. “They are working hard and progressing well.”

Former Fort Dodge Senior High girls and boys head track coach Kevin Astor will be helping Tracy, while Cory Naughton once again works with the throwers.

“It’s been great having Kevin this year,” Tracy said. “He is someone who understands not only the sport, but what goes into it all with his experience as a head coach.”

St. Edmond opens the outdoor season on April 1 at Earlham.

2025 ST. EDMOND GIRLS TRACK

Roster

Seniors — Josie Harvey, Sasha Hess, Mariah Myers.

Juniors — Laryn Ferris, Anna Lursen, Brianna Saathoff, Faith Shirbroun.

Sophomores — Lily Eslick, Breeanna Kalvig, McKenna Kvale, Alex Leiting, Myrah Lemon, Emmersyn Peters.

Freshmen — Ava Bradley, Charlie Stucky, Naomi Valles.

Schedule

April 1 — at Earlham; 7 — at Southeast Valley; 10 — at Eagle Grove; 11 — at Greene County; 15 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 17 — at Manson Northwest Webster; 22 — at Pocahontas Area; 24 — at Dodger Relays; 28 — at Humboldt.

May 2 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 5 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 8 — at NCC Championships in Iowa Falls.