The PCM girls’ track team graduated a talented group of eight seniors last year, with half of them being state qualifiers in the shuttle hurdle relay and the 400m hurdles. Although the team did lose a strong senior class, this year’s senior class has a skilled group of distance runners, who are ready to fill their shoes. 

“The seniors this year obviously have a lot of experience. There are some really really good encouragers at track meets. Kind of a team mom situation where the younger kids know if they need something to go to them so I think they will do a great job,” explained girls head Coach Eric Karr.

Senior Riley DeVore ran the 4×8, 4×4, and the open 400 last year. She mentioned she enjoyed relays the most, and she is looking forward to having fun with the team this upcoming season. 

Another senior, Sophia Steenhoek started out last season running 800s and 400s but towards the end was running only 400s and 200s. This season Sophia is looking forward to, “improving my times personally and making many memories with people on the team.”

The only returning state qualifier to the girl’s team, Rylee Gallaher, reached the state tournament in the shotput event. She also throws the discus.

“My main goal for this year is going back to the state meet, but one of my smaller goals would be to spin while throwing the shot put and throwing over 36 feet,” explains Gallaher. After high school, she plans to attend Wartburg College where she will throw for their Track and Field team. 

“I am looking forward to progressing my skills this season in order to be more prepared to start workouts at Wartburg,” Gallaher noted. 

Eric Karr is the PCM Girls’ High School Track and Field head coach and has been for a few years. “Since I have been the head coach we’ve had one second place at conference and two third places. I would like to win it for once,” Karr stated.

Coach Karr is assisted by John Schaeffer and Heather Jessen. This will be Schaeffer’s second year and Jessen’s first year on the coaching staff. 

“She [Jessen] was a state qualifier in high school in both cross country and the 3000. She is a distance runner and that is primarily going to be the group she works with,” Karr explained.