Trojan girls open with tough competition

Even before the season started, Turkey Valley’s girls had to be considered an underdog at the New Hampton coed invitational. They were smallest school in the field, which included seven 2A and 1A schools.But with the lack of track meets, a couple more schools wanted in on the meet, so 4A Iowa City West and 3A Crestwood joined the competition, making it tougher for the Lady Trojans to score points at the meet. They trailed the field of nine with only five points.An oversupply of snow and undersupply of warm temperatures also hampered Turkey Valley, as Thursday was the first time they’ve even been on an outdoor track this season.Without an all-weather track, coach Brian Schmitt has had to improvise his track team’s workouts this year. And while the girls are gamely following his instructions, it’s been a difficult start.“It has been the most difficult weather year over my 10 years as a head coach,” said Schmitt. “I don’t think we will be on our track till May, which is just crazy to think.”Tripoli was the only other school at the meet without an all-weather track.“We have modified practices with hallway running, high intensity interval training in the gym, strength training in the weight room, parking lot running, and then gravel road long distance training. This training makes the hurdles and long jump nearly impossible to teach. We have been doing long jump training with chair drills and jumping in the high jump pit.”
--The rest of the story may be found in the April 17 Tribune.