The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
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South Gibson Star-Times GSHS Spring Sports Preview Tuesday, March 28, 2023 B-3 By Andy Heuring Gibson Southern's girls track team lost several seniors from their state finalist 4x800 relay team, but they still have strong runners, jumpers and throwers to field a team that can challenge for a sectional title. "We are looking forward to it," said Titan girls track coach Jeremy Aydt of the 2023 season. "I'm ready to see sunshine and nicer weather. It tends to dictate attitudes. You see a difference when the sun comes out," said Aydt of the cold spring. Junior Chloe Graham returns to the Titans in both the shot put and discus after a solid sophomore season. She was third in both events. Graham will be joined in the throwing events by Ava Weisheit, who as a junior missed all last season with a knee injury. As a sophomore Weisheit won both the shot put and discus in the Princeton sectional and then qualified for the state in the discus with a third place finish. The two should give the Titans one of the better throwing duos in southern Indiana. Last year's 4x400 relay team, which returns three of four runners, just missed qualifying for state with a fourth place finish in the regional. Senior Hailey Richter placed third in the 200 at the sectional and the long jump. Coach Aydt said she will again run the 4x400, 200 and long jump and maybe some other middle distance events. Senior Keelyn Wilkerson was also a member of the sectional champ 4x400 relay. She is expected to run both the 400 and 800 this year as well as both the 400 and 800 relays. "Our senior class this year is smaller, but they have been key components to our success in the past. I look for them to contribute again this year," said Aydt. Wilkerson was fifth last year in the 400 at the sectional. Another senior, Miah Roesch, will run hurdles and the 4x100 relay. She placed second in the 300 hurdles last year. This year's juniors will also have a lot to do with the Lady Titans' success. Ella Jones is a sprinter for the Titans. She was fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 100 at the sectional. Rachel Pohl placed third in the high jump with a leap of 4'10". Courtney Heldt won the sectional in the 800 with a run of 2:27.32. She is expected to run the middle distances and relays. Aydt thinks a few freshmen will help put points on the board this year. Reese McKannan is a strong runner in the middle distances. She placed second in the 400 at the middle school PAC running a 1:03. Kinley Reeves cleared 4'11 in the high jump at the PAC middle school PAC meet. Molly Spindler will run mid- distance. Last year in the eighth grade she ran near the 2:30 mark in the 800 so she should immediately be competitive. Macy Spindler was also successful in middle school as a thrower. She has lots of experience in A AU and Junior Olympic competition. "She will be competing with Ava and Chloe." "Hopefully we can be competitive in the conference and sectional year in and year out. We want to advance as many kids as we can. Just carry on the success and tradition we have had back to when coaches Hopewell, Sieb and Heuring were leading the team to now, and keep the ball rolling," said Aydt. We're Titan Proud! 119 SOUTH VINE ST., PO BOX 220 HAUBSTADT, IN 47639-0220 ALAN J WADE - FUNERAL DIRECTOR PH: 812-768-5210 EMAIL: WADEFH@TWC.COM WADE FUNERAL HOME, INC. Serving families with dignity since 1950 PRE-PLANNING SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE Titan girls track Gibson Southern's girls track team members are front row:(l to r) Elizabeth Steckler, Gabby Baehl, Bailey Baker, Reese McKannan, Corinne Stevens, Miah Roesch, Ry- ann Smith, Keelyn Wilkerson, Olivia Redding, Maggie McElhiney and Asher Ping; middle row: Maci Spindler, Lilly Spindler, Aleah Rexing, Courtney Heldt, Hailey Rich- ter, Aleks Parmer, Carissa Ralph, Mavery Chandler, Molly Spindler, Alyssa Baehl and Kennedy Ping; back row: Rhylanne Bittner, Devyn Brent, Kynlee Reeves, Chloey Gra- ham, Ava Weisheit, Rachel Pohl, Ella Jones, Olivia Alston, Mabrey Wilson, Olivia Rich, Ashlyn Hopf and Kamryn Burger. Ava Weisheit Hailey Richter Miah Roesch Keelyn Wilkerson Rachel Pohl GS Girls have strong starters for new season Gibson Southern Girls Track "Our senior class this year is small- er, but they have been key compo- nents to our success in the past. I look for them to contribute again this year," –Track Coach Jeremy Aydt