Lady Savages hit finish line on historic track season

           A crisp spring air whistled through town as more than 100 Sigourney residents and their relatives gathered outside the main doors of the high school on Saturday. Many were dressed in formal attire ranging from pretty dresses to handsome suits, while others simply came clad in their everyday jeans and tees. It was commencement after all, but these folks outside were waiting for something else first, or rather some very special people.

            Suddenly, the blare of sirens could be heard in the distance, and the crowd began to line up near the drive to the school. The sirens grew steadily closer and closer, until an instantly recognizable yellow Sigourney fire truck peeked out from the houses to the west. Children and adults alike could hardly contain their excitement, while others swiftly pulled out their cameras or phones to capture a moment they knew will be precious to them.

            Behind the long fire engine was a small parade of black vans and SUVs, each containing the excited, yet tired faces of student-athletes from the Sigourney boys’ and girls’ track teams and their coaches. One by one, as the vehicles rolled up to the school, cheers erupted from the excited Savage fans and fellow students welcoming their 1A state champion girls’ team home.

            Girls’ coach Jeni and Andy Harter, along with volunteer coach Heather Barthelman, look out to the elated crowd, reminded of how the two women once experienced something very similar 25 years ago. 1992 was the last time Sigourney walked out of the State Track Meet as champs, when both were part of a successful three-year era under Coach Arnie Snook. Now 25 years later, on the 50^th anniversary of Sigourney’s track program, Harter was witnessing her athletes make history again.

            “Heather and I find ourselves reminiscing, especially about our successful track experiences,” Jeni Harter said. “I was just so overjoyed for the girls to be able to experience the rewards of hard work and believing in themselves. It is a feeling that no one can take away from you. It is something that they will be able to look back on, reminisce about and use as a motivation in their lives.”

          Please view the May 24 edition of The News-Review for the full story.