Sporrer to compete in steeplechase, 4x800 at nationals

MARION, Ind. — Morningside junior Courtney Sporrer admitted she's gotten more comfortable competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

It's her first outdoor season competing in the multi-obstacle race that also includes a water barrier, and her persistence has paid off with an appearance at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.

Sporrer will be in the steeplechase prelims at 6:25 p.m. (Iowa time) Wednesday.

Sporrer has competed in three steeplechase races, improving in all three chances. Her first race was timed in 11 minutes, 38 seconds at the South Dakota Early Bird meet in early April. Two weeks later, Sporrer shaved 11 seconds off that time at the Red Raider Open at Northwestern.

After that first race in Vermillion, Sporrer and head coach Frank Wallace planned how to run that race better.

"We came up with a mantra and it was to attack and adapt after each barrier," she said. "So even if one barrier doesn't go the way I want it, I have to move past that and just get ready for the next barrier coming up and that's really helped."

The biggest improvement came from the Red Raider Open to the Great Plains Athletic Conference outdoor meet, where Sporrer ran the race in 11:08.99, winning the race and making the qualifying standard for nationals.

"Even throughout that (first )race I got a lot more comfortable, especially with the water barrier and then just working on hurdle drills and my form has just improved a lot more, which helps me attack and get over those barriers a lot better," Sporrer said.

She is seeded ninth in the prelims, and her goal is to make the finals for later in the week.

The Mustangs junior is also part of the Morningside 3,200-relay team that qualified with a time of 9:22.68 at the Drake Relays last month. The quartet of Jolee Mesz, Morgan Sachs, Nicole Zuehl, and Sporrer also placed second on May 3 in the GPAC finals in 9:26.22.

"Those four run really well together," Wallace said. "They have a goal of what they want to do since we've been here. The 4x800 has been a staple in program history, so wanting to continue that tradition, stepping up and being able to show out. I think the young ladies, when they put their minds to it, they can get things done."

The 4x800 team will compete at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.

"I want them to be free minded when they go out and compete," Wallace added. "I just want them to be in the moment."