The Hopkins girls’ track team successfully began its defense of the O-K Silver Conference championship with a convincing 92-45 dual victory Tuesday over Calvin Christian.

The Lady Vikings were supposed to have been hit hard by graduation losses last spring, but apparently coach Molly Klump’s group is not rebuilding, it’s just reloading.

Senior Bailey Ballard had another big day, winning the discus with a toss of 113-10.75 and the 300-meter hurdles in 53.11 seconds, taking second in the 100 high hurdles and running the anchor leg in the 400-meter relay. Joining her in the relay were Savannah Emaus, Josie Freybler and Lexi Merren.

Julia Forbes also was a double winner, taking the long jump (15-10.75) and the 200-meter dash (27.8).

Other individual firsts were registered by Merren in 100-meter dash (13.61), Laura Velderman in the open 400 (67.34), Meghan Schulz in the shot put (31’) and freshman Jasmine Fisher in the 3200 (13:06.98).

The Lady Vikings swept all other relays with Fisher, Freybler, Emma Helder and Madison Snoeyink in the 3200 ((10:50.38), the 800 with Emmaus, Freybler, Merren and Shank (1:59.47) and the 1600 with Forbes, Freybler, Helder and Madeline Krcatovich 4:56.9).

PHOTO: Freshman Laura Velderman, O-K Silver cross-country champion, is proving she can win shorter distance races as well.