Marysville High School’s girls 4 x 800 relay team recently took first place during an indoor meet. The runners are from left, Katie Krueger, Bryn Hothem, Emerson Bautsch and Ava Elliott. They won the event with a time of 10:59. (Photo submitted)
Coronavirus restrictions and shutdowns have created havoc throughout the 2020-21 winter sports season.
Basketball, gymnastics, swimming and wrestling squads have had to switch schedules on the fly due to the pandemic.
Another sport that has been impacted by restrictions associated with the virus is high school indoor track and field.
Marysville High School’s indoor track and field athletes have had limited opportunities to compete in preparation for a hopeful 2021 spring outdoor campaign.
The entire 2020 spring outdoor season was wiped out by COVID-19.
Although Monarch athletes have had few chances to work on their track and field craft indoors, they have had success.
Pole vaulter Brynn Rychlik recently set a new girls indoor school record with an effort of 13-0.
“Brynn has been working hard to develop her skills, speed and strength,” said Marysville High School head track and field coach Luke Sundermeier. “She has arrived as one of Ohio’s top vaulters.
“Her recent effort of 13-0 ranks her third across all high school divisions (D I-II-III) in the state.”
Rychlik will compete next weekend during the indoor nationals at Virginia Beach, Va.
She will then vault in the state indoor meet, which will be held on March 6.
The state competition will be held at the Spire Institute in Geneva.
Sundermeier added Rychlik’s sister, Jackie, is also rising in the ranks of pole vaulters.
She cleared 10-10 during the indoor season and is considered among the top 20 girls vaulters in the state.
A Monarch relay team marked the first race for MHS athletes in more than 300 days.
The Lady Monarch 4 x 800 relay squad of Katie Krueger, Bryn Hothem, Emerson Bautsch and Ava Elliott) competed during an indoor meet last week in Lodi, Ohio.
The foursome broke the tape in first place with a clocking of 10:59.
In doing so, they won the event by more than 400 meters.
“Their time puts them in the top 20 in the state for high school girls athletes in that event,” said Sundermeier.