The week of May 3-9 was nothing short of spectacular for female high school athletes across the Ames area, with standout performances in track, golf, and soccer that had fans on the edge of their seats. From conference championships to record-breaking relays, these young stars proved why they're the ones to watch.
The action kicked off with a full slate of conference track and field meets, where the Ames girls team made a powerful statement at the Iowa Alliance Conference meet, while Ballard and Gilbert shined at the Raccoon River Conference meet. Meanwhile, Collins-Maxwell and Colo-NESCO took on the Iowa Star Conference, and Nevada and Roland-Story battled it out at the Heart of Iowa Conference meet. It was a week of fierce competition, with athletes pushing their limits in every event.
Leading the charge for Ames was Hatcher, who dominated the Iowa Alliance Conference girls track meet on May 5 in Marshalltown. She not only won the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 9.5 inches but also claimed victory in the 100-meter hurdles with a blistering time of 14.99 seconds. To cap off her impressive day, she finished second in the open 200, clocking in at 25.96 seconds. Hatcher's versatility and speed were on full display, helping the Little Cyclones secure the team title.
Over at the Heart of Iowa Conference meet on May 7 in Jefferson, Roland-Story's Helgeson was a force to be reckoned with. She won the 100 hurdles with a time of 17.12 seconds and anchored her team to a first-place finish in the girls shuttle hurdle relay, crossing the line in 1:10.78. Her leadership and consistency were key to Roland-Story's success on the track.
On the golf course, Lohrbach of Gilbert was in a league of her own at the Turk Bowman Invitational on May 5 at the Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. Shooting an even-par 73 over 18 holes, she claimed individual medalist honors by an impressive eight strokes over her twin sister, Ella. Lohrbach's precision and composure under pressure helped Gilbert cruise to the team title, solidifying her as one of the top golfers in the area.
Not to be outdone, Shoen of Ballard delivered a memorable performance at the Raccoon River Conference co-ed track meet on May 6 in Adel. She anchored the Bombers' girls 4x400 relay team to a school-record time of 4:06.54, winning the conference title and etching her name in the record books. Shoen's explosive finish was a testament to her speed and determination, inspiring her teammates to aim higher.
These athletes represent the best of Ames-area high school sports, and now it's your turn to vote for the Ames Tribune Female Athlete of the Week. With such incredible talent on display, every vote counts in recognizing the hard work and dedication these young women bring to their sports. Cast your vote at AmesTrib.com and help crown this week's champion!