By: Nathan Bloechl — nathanb@977thebolt.com
Des Moines, Iowa — She’ll tell you it wasn’t her best run, but it shouldn’t matter.
In fact her time last year was twelve seconds faster than her’s today. But Pocahontas Area’s Jill Vonnahme is walking home tonight with a medal and a fourth place finish.
The future University of Northern Iowa Panther ran 10:52.03 to claim a fourth-place finish in today’s [Thursday] girls’ 3000m run.
It was a blistering afternoon with temps near or above 85 degrees, but Vonnahme battled. Much like everyone in the state this spring wasn’t very kind to her.
“I think I fared pretty well despite the warm weather today” Vonnahme said post-run. “It was little bit tougher to run today.”
Of course, Vonnahme had her sights set on besting her time of 10:40 which she ran at last year’s state track meet, and while she couldn’t top it, she wasn’t discouraged — or at least didn’t show it.
“My goal was to go under 10:40 and hit a new personal record, but also had a goal of finishing inside the top-5 and with a fourth place finish it’s really hard to be that disappointed.”
Vonnahme improved on her 8th place finish overall last year, as well, so despite the time it was a marked improvement for the senior.
She’ll be running later this weekend in Poky’s distance medley relay as well as the 1500m run.
“I’d like to medal in both, but as long as I have fun with my teammates I think it’s going to be a win.”