Martin throws for two firsts at New Hampton Invitationals

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

NEW HAMPTON — Sara Martin has her eyes set on Charles City’s shot put record. If all goes according to plans, it will be hers by the time she graduates.

“It’s 40 feet, 4 inches,” said Martin, a junior. “I believe I have a good shot at getting it my senior year.”

What about this year?

“It’s going to have to come late in the season if we’ve talking about this year,” Martin said.

In that case, it could be better late … or early … than never.

It would be ideal for Martin to reach her peak when it’s time to qualify for state.

“I just missed it last year,” Martin said of placing third in the shot put at districts. “They only take the top two, so I know what I gotta do.”

At the New Hampton Girls Invitational, Martin attained personal-bests in the shot put (37 feet, 11 inches) and discus (117 feet, 5 inches) while winning both events.

“Good … I think they’re doing great,” Charles City assistant throwing coach Josh Dean said of Martin and sophomore Sydney Loeckle, who placed third in the discus at New Hampton after winning the discus at the Decorah Girls Relays last Friday.

“Not only are they great throwers, they’re very good athletes, which makes my job that much easier,” Dean said.

Overall, the Comets placed fourth at the invite

Charles City also got a first-place performance from its 4-by-800 relay team of Gillian King, Kennedi Rowlands, Bailey Mitchell and Whitney Martin, which won with a time of 10:21.83, besting runner-up Nashua-Plainfield (Aubry Bienemann, Emma Sinnwell, Kaylee Cerwinske, Kaylee Eick).

Charles City junior McKayla Cole was runner-up twice in the 800- and 3,000-meter runs to Osage’s Ellie Friesen.

Osage also won the 1,500 with Megan Mooberry clocking in at 5 minutes, 7.25 seconds, a little more than five seconds ahead of Charles City freshman Martin.

Nashua-Plainfield’s Dallas Weiss dominated the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.33 seconds, nearly two seconds ahead of runner-up Sara VanDeWalle of Independence.

Kaylee Eggers placed third in the 100 hurdles for Nashua-Plainfield.

Earlier, Weiss, Eggers, Brittany Bendickson and Abby Lumley won the 4-by-100 shuttle hurdle relay for N-P with a time of 1:10.46.