Sports : Vinton hurdler returns from injury to help 8th grade team set record

Olivia Erhardt anchored the 8th grade VSMS record-setting shuttle hurdle relay team.

Davia Herger was part of the shuttle hurdle team that won events in both Vinton meets.

Franki Evans jumps over a hurdle during last week's Wamac meet.

Olivia Erhardt won the 100M hurdle event and anchored the school record-setting shuttle hurdle team.

Chelsee Tharp overcame knee and head injuries to return to track to help set the record.

The shuttle hurdle team with coach Don Lyle: Franki E., Chelsee T., Olivia E. and Davia H.

A knee injury at the beginning of the season and a concussion – along with five stitches – at the end of the season could not keep 8th grader Chelsee Tharp out of the Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School record books.

Chelsee had to sit out the shuttle hurdle last Friday’s Wamac meet because of a concussion and stitches in her face she suffered when she bumped heads with a classmate during a game of Capture the Flag. She and another girl were pursuing a boy who had the flag. He ducked.

“They collided face-first and the other girl’s braces cut Chelsee's face open, and Chelsee broke one of her teeth,” says Chelsee’s mom, Kimberly Smith.

Although her mom made her sit out last week’s Wamac meet, Chelsee still refused to give up track, the way she had at the beginning of the season when she dealt with a torn meniscus.

She just couldn’t stay off the track – she and her friends had a very important goal and were almost out of opportunities to reach it. They wanted to set a school record in the 10-flight shuttle hurdle event.

The previous record – set in 2012 by this year’s seniors – was 1:16.77.

“Their goal the whole year was to beat that record,” says Chelsee’s mom.

Chelsee and her teammates, Franki Evans, Olivia Erhardt and Davia Herger, competed throughout the season, and the teams won several events, but they had not yet broken the record. Their last chance came at the Middle School Vikette Invitational on Tuesday, the last meet of the season – the last of their middle school careers.

On Tuesday, the four lined up in front of the grandstands, determined to make history. While coach Lyle had moved some of the girls to other events for earlier track meets, the four were reunited one last time to try to beat the record.

The quartet had been on the 7th grade shuttle hurdle team last year and they tore the track up then too, winning most races and finishing no worse than 2nd. They’ve been friends for years, and where in dance as preschoolers before moving on to school sports.

Their success had continued in 8th grade, but their goal of a school record still had eluded them.

Three hurdles into that final relay, Chelsee faltered crossing the third hurdle, because of her knee problem.

“Mr. Lyle thought she was going down,” says Smith. “But she recovered and finished her leg strong.”

Next was Davia, then Franki. By the time it was Olivia’s turn to run the anchor, the team was clearly pulling away. Olivia quickly widened the gap. Soon after she crossed the finish line – nearly four seconds ahead of the second-place team, the celebration began.

When the Olivia crossed the line, the clock stopped at 1:15.75 – more than a second faster than the previous record.

“This has to be one of the most determined group of girls I've ever met; all of them fiercely competitive,” says Smith. “They’re serious about this sport. I can't wait to see what they do in high school.”

Olivia also won the 100 M hurdle event on Tuesday, with Davia second.

"Davia loves to hurdle and makes me video most of her race," says her mom, Tyneal. "She is always looking for ways to improve. She was super excited to be moving toward and breaking the existing record. She was well aware that she couldn't do it alone that it was the effort of the whole team that got them there. She is so proud that their hard work paid off."

Chelsee was a member of the first-place 4x100 relay team, running with with Alyssa Reynolds, Kaylee Sorum, and Rebekah Kalina. They won a very close race as Rebekah crossed the finish line 4/100th of a second before the runner from Benton Community.

Big team win in final meet

The 8th graders won their invitational with 139 points, 55 more than 2nd-place West Delaware. Olivia Erhardt led the team with 22 points.

Other 8th grade Vikettes winning first place in their final middle school meet included:

Hanna Timerman, 400M, 1:06.54

Amelia Birker, 800M, 2:41.38

4 x 100 relay team, 57.84.

4 x 200 weight person relay, 1:05.22

Lauren Upmeyer also won first in the shot put, and broke the VS Middle School shot put record for the third time this season, setting a new record more than a half-foot longer than her previous one, with a toss of 32 feet, 10 inches.

The VS 7th graders finished fourth in the meet.

7th grade Vikette winners included:

Aza Swayzer, discus, 85 feet, 10 inches.

Kayla Griffith, high jump, 4 feet, 4 inches.

Emma Wiley, shot put, 27 feet, 10.25 inches.

See complete results HERE.