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The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

Set to compete at state

Competing+in+her+fourth+state+meet%2C+senior+Katie+Ruhala+will+be+trying+to+win+a+state+title+in+the+3200m+run.
Competing in her fourth state meet, senior Katie Ruhala will be trying to win a state title in the 3200m run.

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.”

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Jessica Parrott, Sports Editor
Jessica Parrott is a senior, meaning she not only runs the sports section of The Red Ledger, but also the school. With her best friend and fellow staff member Julia Carder by her side, Jessica is going to make this year the best yet. Her favorite sport to cover is football, not only does she love the game but she also loves the boys. Nah, just kidding… slightly. As a senior, Jessica knows that she can literally do anything she wants. Anything. Her favorite saying is “Lord love a duck,” a frequent exclamation made when people do appalling things. She is hoping to attend either Texas Tech or Texas A&M but is also considering Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas. Ya never know though. She is obsessed with both Friday Night Lights and Gossip Girl, two drastically different shows. The way to her heart is a large Diet Coke from McDonald’s and cabana bowl from Taco Cabana. She is from Boerne, Texas, a suburb outside of San Antonio and she believes to this day that it is the closest to heaven on earth you can get, it’s the Hill Country, it doesn’t get much better. She loves riding boots, flowy tops, and her Texas James Avery ring. Thanks and Gig ‘em, Wreck ‘em, Sic ‘em, Go Pokes, Woo Pig! She’ll let ya know when she decides on a school ;)

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