Flyers track team making big strides

By JEFF STAHLHUT

For the Call

Through five track meets this season, the Lindbergh High School girls’ track team has taken home four first-place titles to go with one second-place finish, and Flyers Coach Tom Gose could not be more pleased with the results thus far.

“It’s been a good year up to now,” he said. “When you have a lot of talented seniors like we do that’s a good recipe for success.”

Among the top performers for Lindbergh has been senior Carmel Mondie, who leads the team in scoring and medals.

“It’s been business as usual for her — she’s been very reliable,” Gose said of Mondie, who set the school record in the long-jump earlier this season.

Also turning in noteworthy performances of late have been the Flyers distance runners.

This group — which includes senior Vanda Wilder (4×800, 800), junior Lauren Kirkpatrick (4×800, 2 mile), junior Laura Halfmann (1 mile, 2 mile), junior Candace Capehart (4×800, 1 mile) and junior Kristin Mix (4×800, 800) — really has stepped it up recently.

Gose, who says a great change in approach has done the trick, also noted that sophomore Jamie Bilyeu (4×800) has been a very capable backup in distance events.

Meanwhile, in yet another testament to the depth of this team, Gose told the Call that they have had good luck in other areas, too.

“Our sprint teams, which are a combination of a lot of girls, have done very well,” he said. “As has our top high-jumper (Ka-tie Sanders). Katie has finished first or second in every meet so far this year.”

Others performing well thus far include freshman Lauren Begany (high-hurdles, long jump and triple-jump), junior Sarah Chambers (long jump, triple jump) and junior Lindsay Link (long jump, triple jump).

“They have scored good points for us,” Gose noted.

Senior Michelle Elfrank has emerged as the Flyers’ top discus thrower, while senior Dezara Miles has been productive in the shot-put. In the pole vault, senior Kelly House is the Lindbergh school record holder, while junior Andrea Mastis also is having a really good season.

“Andrea is usually about one level behind Kelly,” Gose said. “But she is only a junior, so she will be ready to step into that top spot her senior year.”

Gose is confident the Flyers can continue their winning ways.

“We’re a very unique team,” he said. “Most schools are able to be very strong with six or seven kids, but we are fortunate to put a quality athlete in all 18 spots. Depth helps productivity a great deal.”

Next up for Lindbergh is a trip to South-west Missouri State on Wednesday followed by a Thursday-Friday event at Eureka.