Hurdling has long been a strong suit for girls’ track and field teams based in Jefferson going back to 1984 when the Jefferson Jeffettes first qualified a shuttle hurdle relay team for a state meet. Known as a “signature” event for the Jeffettes, now the Rams, 23 shuttle hurdle units have qualified for state meets since ’84, including a state championship in the event in 1989, and several other high finishes. Greene County was fifth in Class 3A last year at state on the blue Drake Stadium track in Des Moines, although the Rams are just a handful of students away from being in the smaller 2A class.

The hurdling tradition appears to be alive again this season as the Rams won the 60 meter shuttle hurdle relay indoors on March 21 in Storm Lake at the Buena Vista University Elite High School Meet. The quartet of senior Kate Sandage, juniors Eme Johnson and Sarah Sandage, and freshman Nadia Fisher, set a meet record of 40.35 seconds.

In addition, Johnson and Kate Sandage went 1-2 in the 60 meter hurdles individual race with Eme running 10.15 seconds and Kate next at 10.17. Sarah Sandage was twelfth in the same event.

Girls’ head coach Kelly Simpson coaches boys and girls hurdlers, and has done so for more than two decades. The successes both female and male hurdlers at the school have had over the years are many and also include individual state hurdling championships and state meet hurdling records.

Fans will get a chance to see the hurdlers and all of the Rams compete outdoors in Jefferson on March 31 if the weather cooperates. Greene County is scheduled to host their Early Bird Coed Meet on the last day of the month at Linduska Field.