One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
M-ettes welcome 20 athletes in strange year
The 2021 Malta M-ettes Track Team. Back row: Coach Andy Schell, Addy Anderson, Madyson Bain, Giona Lamb, Rylee Hines, Laynee Ophus, Skylie Lefdahl, Allie Kunze, Kaylee Bishop, Madison Williamson, Tia Siewing, and Coach Nick Oxarart. Front row Coach Kourtney Simonson, Coach Jennifer Rickett, Lauren Tuss, Cede Mayer, Lena Tremblay, Elly Anderson, Madyson Warburton, Addison Ulrich, Leslie Young, Erica Smith, and Head Coach Kaitlyn Smith. Not pictured are Justine Lamb and Gracie Honey. Photo by Pierre Bibbs
The Malta Track and Field teams are ready to go, after more than a year away from action, and second-year Head Coach Kaitlyn Smith is excited to lead her team to a meet for the first time in her coaching career.
"So far things are looking good," Coach Smith said when asked about her teams. "There is a lot of athletic ability here so I am excited about that. We have a lot of potential."
Coach Smith said that she was happy that the MHSA loosened many of their proposed rules, which would've limited schools in their ability to compete.
The teams started practices on Monday, March 15. It was the first time most of the athletes have participated in track and field in any capacity since March of 2020, due to the COVID-19 cancellation of the 2020 season.
Despite missing the season, Coach Smith believes that things have gone well.
"They are learning all over again," Coach Smith said. "Missing last year was also a downfall because they didn't gain the experience. We have a lot of sophomores and freshmen, but they are all basically freshmen to track because they didn't get a season last year."
Malta's M-ette track team consists of 20 athletes this season, who will be led by seniors Erica Smith and Leslie Young, and juniors Kaylee Bishop, Justine Lamb and Skylie Lefdahl, all of whom have competed at state in years past.
Those returning athletes were also a part of the Northern B runner up team in 2019.
In 2019, Smith took second place in the State B Triple Jump event with a personal best of 36-2.75, fourth in the long jump with a personal best of 16-5.75, and just missed placing in the high jump by clearing 4-10 and taking seventh.
Justine Lamb placed fourth in the 100 hurdles with a personal best of 16.34.
Young, Bishop and Smith were a part of the 2019 short relay team with Wylee Young. That team competed at state and posted a time of 53.63.
Lefdahl competed in the state discus event and posted a throw of 97-9.
The M-ettes welcome several new members to the team, many of whom helped Malta compete in the state basketball tournaments over the past couple of years, but have not seen a track meet.
The full listing of M-ettes include: Addison Ulrich, Addy Anderson, Allison Kunze, Cede Mayer, Elly Anderson, Erica Smith, Giona Lamb, Gracie Honey, Justine Lamb, Kaylee Bishop, Lauren Tuss, Laynee Ophus, Lena Tremblay, Leslie Young, Madison Williamson, Madyson Bain, Madyson Warburton, Rylee Hines, Skylie Lefdahl, and Tia Siewing.
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