Ellinger Officials Take Office
Krissalynn Henderson was a leading sprinter for the Dodge City Community College women’s track and field team this season.
The freshman out of La Grange High School competed in the 200- and 400-meter races. Her best finishes were third in the 200 and fourth in the 400 at the Loper Invitational.
“I always feel like I could have been faster,” she said. “It was a pretty good experience.”
Though Dodge City head track and field coach Cole Ballard said Henderson’s stride is fine, the coaches have been trying to “make her a little softer runner” and “get her up a little more forward” in her form.
Henderson cited tweaks to her form to increase her efficiency. She worked to correct her arm swing, for her arms were going side to side instead of the desired cheek to pocket. She focused on keeping her head still to avoid unnecessary, wasted movement, and she now leaves the starting blocks by leading with her left foot.
In addition to the sprints, she competed in the distance medley and 4-by-400-meter relays. She ran the second leg--a 400 leg--of the distance medley relay that scored by placing fourth at the National Junior College Athletic Association Region VI indoor championship. “She’s more of a long sprinter,” Ballard said of her position in the foursome.
She ran the third leg of the 4-by-400 relay, her favorite event, that placed seventh and scored at the Region VI outdoor championship.
At the earlier Beaver Classic, she was in the anchor leg, her preference. “It helps whenever I have people to go catch,” she said. “I’m really competitive. I try to catch everybody I can.”
This summer she will focus on lifting weights to increase her muscle endurance and on sprints to get her turnover faster.
Baseball
Casen Novak has been named to the all-American Southwest Conference third team. The Flatonia High product batted .294 in playing all 34 games for Concordia University Texas. The senior infielder, who started 32 times, drove in 17 runs and stole nine bases in 12 attempts.
Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.