Iowa Pacesetter: Hurdles is natural fit for Northeast’s Rickertsen

However when longtime Northeast Excessive College coach Pat Healy noticed Rickertsen’s stride in eighth grade, he had one other thought.

“I feel you’re going to be a hurdler,” Healy instructed Rickertsen. “Proper then, she acquired a giant smile on her face. She’s simply acquired a pure stride for hurdles.”

Rickertsen, a Northeast senior and this week’s Iowa Pacesetter, is the defending Class 2A state champion within the 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles. She ran the eighth-fastest time in state historical past Tuesday night time on the Insurgent Relays within the 100 hurdles in 14.28 seconds.

This weekend, the College of Iowa signee sees how she measures up in opposition to the state’s finest in all lessons on the Drake Relays in Des Moines.

“It can undoubtedly be eye-opening to see the place I stand earlier than state and the top of the 12 months meets,” she mentioned.

Hurdles runs within the household.

Rickertsen’s cousin, Jaci Mulholland, ran them at Northeast. So too did her brother, Grant. She additionally has been chasing the information of former Northeast hurdles standout Aleenah Marcucci.

“There are lots of people that I regarded as much as for inspiration that had been near residence,” Rickertsen mentioned. “I want operating hurdles than open occasions. It’s enjoyable to have that problem there.”

There are 10 errors ready to occur within the hurdles, however that does not deter Rickertsen, who has been described by teammates as fearless.

“A number of issues can go flawed and lots of people do not wish to do them,” she mentioned, “in order that was a part of the attraction for me in doing them.”

She positioned third on the state meet in each particular person hurdle occasions as a freshman. Her sophomore season was squelched by the pandemic.

She got here again final spring and completed fifth on the Drake Relays within the 100 hurdles (15.30) and 400 hurdles (65.14).

Then in Might, she gained two titles and ran on two different top-three relays on the state meet.

A goal was squarely on her again coming into this spring.

“It undoubtedly pushes me to run sooner occasions and all the time develop into higher,” she mentioned. “I do maintain myself to a excessive customary.”

Healy, who has been related to monitor & subject at Northeast for greater than 50 years, calls her a dream to educate.

“We have had some good ones and he or she’s proper up there with them,” he mentioned. “She works longer than anyone else at her craft. I’ve to close her down at occasions or she would overwork.”

Mom Nature has thrown a wrench into her coaching this spring. With the cancellation of a number of meets, Rickertsen mentioned it has been tough to get into race form and type.

“I am excited to get again to the blue oval (at Drake Stadium) and run there,” she mentioned. “There’s a totally different sort of adrenaline, a unique expertise.”

Waukee Northwest’s Mackenzie Carney, an Iowa State College recruit, has the state’s prime time within the 100 hurdles this 12 months at 14.13. Rickertsen is second after Tuesday’s 14.28.

“These Waukee ladies are competing at a really excessive degree, particularly Mackenize and Natalie (Harris),” she mentioned. “It is going to be thrilling to run in opposition to them and compete at a better degree.”

The bodily skills are simply a part of the explanation for Rickertsen’s success. She considers her psychological sport her greatest asset.

Rickertsen is a faithful follower of Christ and leans closely on her religion.

“My energy comes from a better energy,” she mentioned. “I by no means would be capable of do the issues I do by myself.

“It’s not my trophy to hold or my medal to put on round my neck. It’s for the glory of the Lord and never for myself.”

Rickertsen grew up attending church and was concerned in non secular actions. She admitted she has established a deeper connection in her religious life the previous 4 years.

“There are such a lot of worldly temptations on the market, so staying near the Lord is certainly necessary so I can keep grounded, stay humble, hungry and motivated,” she mentioned.

Healy mentioned no person in this system has a nasty phrase to say about Rickertsen.

“The one fights we have now anymore are the three ladies desirous to run along with her in a relay,” Healy famous. “She simply has an awesome character and will get alongside so effectively with all people on the crew. There isn’t a jealously.”

The championships will not be an important factor to Rickertsen.

“I might reasonably be remembered for my character than any trophy or medal,” she mentioned.

After graduating subsequent month, Rickertsen will set her sights on the subsequent chapter of her monitor profession at Iowa. Rickertsen was offered on the Hawkeyes and coach Joey Woody’s program throughout her go to.

“They had been so welcoming and like household nearly,” she mentioned. “They did not deal with me like an outsider.”

And for somebody who has hung out concentrating on volleyball and basketball in highschool as effectively, she’s desirous to see what her potential is as soon as her energies are centered solely on monitor.

“It’s nearly like a part-time or full-time job in faculty, placing that a lot work into it,” she mentioned. “I am going to miss the women right here, however I am excited for a change in environment, meet new ladies that come from totally different cultures, run with them, be pals with them and compete with them.”

A couple of quick years faraway from being that teenage lady who was not overly smitten by monitor, Rickertsen has discovered her area of interest.

“I undoubtedly have a unique ardour for monitor now,” she mentioned. “I am excited to see the place I can go and the place it can take me.”