As the fall 2015 sports season nears conclusion, it is apparent its biggest developments were the achievements of three individual females.
This trio of young women with striking and exceptional accomplishments deserves special mention. I write about two seniors, Hanna Moulenbelt and Ali Martus of Wayland, and freshman Laura Velderman of Hopkins.
Moulenbelt distinguished herself by becoming one of very few young ladies to kick an extra point and be elected homecoming queen on the same night.
Since I published the story and a variety of photos I have received interesting tidbits on Facebook about two other very similar occurrences in Arkansas and Oklahoma this fall.
It’s a rare achievement nonetheless, and what Hanna did was verboten in bygone days, when girls weren’t even allowed to play basketball just like the guys. Time have changed since 1973 and the arrival of Title IX.
Hanna isn’t the first female to be a member of standing on a guys’ football team around here. Don’t forget Emma Kilbane was the Hopkins placekicker not long ago. Girls who become proficient in kicking skills because of soccer can find their way on to football teams.
Martus, as virtually everyone
knows, earned all-state accolades in golf yet again by finishing fifth in the state meet and she had a remarkable run of 13 consecutive matches in which she broke 80 for 18 holes and 40 for nine.
What impressed me most, however, is that Martus didn’t rest on her laurels and settle for being just a good golfer. She made the mistake of making a wildly spectacular debut as a freshman in 2012, then found it hard to live up to the promise, but as a senior pushed her game to another level.
In my lengthy and sordid career, I’ve seen too many boys and girls begin with terrific promise, peak early and have disappointing endings to their careers. No so Martus.
Which brings
this to the pressure that already must be felt by Velderman, only a freshman, but already the O-K Silver Conference cross-country champion, a top 10 runner at the prestigious Portage Invitational and already chasing a school record well within her sights.
It is a biological fact that some young ladies find it very difficult to improve after impressive starts because of physical changes to their bodies.
I have been most impressed that Velderman has improved from her very promising first race last August to run as fast as 19:11 for a 5,000-meter race. We haven’t seen the likes her in these parts since Wayland state distance track champion Jessica Armstrong.
But the jury is still out on Velderman, who has a regional race to run Oct. 31 and probably a state meet in Brooklyn on Nov. 7.
Through it all, the fall of 2015 has been highlighted by the exploits of three young ladies. They all deserve lots of glad handing and praise. And good wishes for success in the future.
PHOTOS: Hanna Moulenbelt Ali Martus Laura Velderman
