Junior Lena Bruening helped the Ankeny girls’ track team to a third-place finish in the CIML Conference meet on Thursday at Johnston. She won the long jump with a leap of 18 feet 2.5 inches.
Bruening also teamed up with Lilly Buckley, Gillian Schramm and Morgan Fisher to win the 4×400 relay. The Hawkettes posted a time of 3:55.24.
Here is some inside info on Bruening:
Congratulations on winning the conference title in the long jump. Were you happy with how you jumped?
I’m happy I got the win and went out there to get the job done. I did what I needed to do for the team, and I’m happy about that.
I know coach Jumper has used you in a lot of different events this season. Is the long jump one of your favorites?
Long jump is definitely one of my favorites. I like that I get to be in the field part of track and field, and it’s a super fun event.
You also ran on the winning 4×400 relay to close out the meet, where your team edged Waukee Northwest by .50 seconds. How confident were you going into the race that you could win–since your team had placed second in that event at the Drake Relays while finishing about 7 seconds behind the Wolves?
I was confident in our team because we have such a talented lineup, and we just focus on what we have. We had no doubts in what we can do and accomplish.
Lilly joined that relay after fully recovering from an injury that she has battled this season. How important will it be to have her in the lineup for the last two weeks of the season?
Lilly is going to play a huge role in coming back from her injury. She adds a lot to this team, and we’re all so happy she’s back and healthy. She’s such a talented and valuable runner so we couldn’t wait to have her back.
You also placed fourth in the 100 with a time of 12.46 seconds. How did you feel about that race?
Kind of like I did in the long jump. I did what I needed to and got the job done. It was a very stacked heat so it was fun to go out there and have the opportunity to compete.
What did you think of your team’s overall performance?
I think our team did very well. We had a sweep in the jumps (with Mila Badillo winning the high jump), and Makenna (Madetzke in the 800) and Morgan (in the 400) both won their events. Our throwers placed really well, too. When we put it all together we have a really strong team, and I’m very proud of all my teammates.
Coach Jumper told me that he didn’t want to overload his athletes and limited some of the girls to just two events on the night. Do you think this was a good tune-up for the state qualifying meet?
It was a good tune up for state. Coach Jumper and our assistant coaches are the best out there, and they always know what to do. I think it was good prep, and now we’re going after it.
You transferred to Ankeny from Waukee last fall and have been a big addition to the team. How much has it helped you to have teammates like Morgan to train with?
Training with my teammates like Morgan is always really fun. She’s an amazing athlete and we’re all really close, but we all push each other in practice and at meets so to be able to practice and compete together is really special.
Your team will travel to Council Bluffs Lincoln for the state qualifying meet on Thursday. Do you know yet which events you’ll be competing in, or is the team’s lineup still to be determined?
I don’t know what I’ll be in yet, but I do know my coaches are working hard and are always making the right call.
Do you think this team can contend for a trophy at the state meet?
I 100 percent think our team can get a state trophy. We have girls across the board in all events that are ready to have some good performances in two weeks. We’re all super excited and ready to show what Ankeny girls’ track can do.
You are currently ranked second in Class 4A in the long jump with a leap of 18-10.75. Do you think anyone can beat Abby Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar (Marion), who has jumped 20-5.5?
Abby is a great athlete, and I believe she will do great.