Two Leopards will being heading down to Austin on May 9 to compete in the state championship Track and Field meet. Senior, Katie Ruhala, will be making her fourth and final appearance at the state meet while junior Lauren Sturm will make her state debut.
For Ruhala, previous experience will be helpful.
“I think having been to state before definitely helps to know that it’s going to be tough competition and that everyone is trying to do their best for the state meet so I think it kind of freaks some people out but I feel like I’m just kind of used to it by now so I’m just going to go out and have fun,” Ruhala said. “I am expecting a PR (personal record) and I really want to go out and run my last good race of the season.”
She will have her work cut out for her.
“There are a lot of talented 3200 runners on Katie’s end,” track coach Stefani Langehennig said. “This is one of the fastest years for 4A in the 2 mile, so she will have to run with the lead pack to try to place. We are primarily looking at time for her; we want her to break 11 minutes for her 3200, and hopefully break her school record of 10:58.”
Ruhala will be heading back to Austin for college in the fall where she will be attending and running cross country for the University of Texas.
While Sturm still has another year of high school after this one, her coach thinks she has a chance to place well.
“Lauren is very capable of jumping with the best,” Langehennig said. “There are 2-3 other jumpers who are jumping very, very well right now. After that however, places are up for grabs. Like Katie we are looking to have our best jump of the year and hopefully break her school record of 12’6”. Lauren is relatively new to pole vaulting and still has another year left to build, which is very encouraging.”
While she has not competed at state before, Sturm is optimistic about the meet.
“My expectations for the meet is to get second or close to first,” Sturm said. “The girl in front of me is second in the nation and has a full ride to the University of Alabama so if I get close to her I will get some college attention and sign with a college the day of state.”
