Kate Foltz finishes legendary indoor track career
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By Daniel L. Chamness
In approximately eight weeks, the most legendary career Tuscola Lady Warrior running history will come to an end.
But, Kate Foltz shadow will be present long, long after her physical presence exits Tuscola Community High School for good. On Friday, March 27, she closed the indoor chapter with a third place finish in the 3,200-meter run at the Top Times Meet. Foltz, who will undoubtedly add to her personal honors in the next eight weeks, finished the race in 11 minutes, 3.08 seconds.
“Kate delivered once again,” said Drew Sterkel, Tuscola’s head girl’s coach, of his distance runner’s performance at Top Times. “She shined against some of the best competition in the state of Illinois. Kate’s work ethic is second to none. I could not be more proud of her accomplishments.”
The Class 1A Finals were held at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. The meet has been dubbed “the unofficial state indoor championship”. The Illinois High School Association does not hold an indoor state championship in any class or at any location.
Foltz would also run the 1,600-meter run at Top Times. She finished 12th in 5:23.85. She was a shade over 10 seconds from earning yet another medal at Top Times. Overall, during her career, she collected five individual medals at Top Times in either the 3,200-meter run or the 1,600-meter run.
“She did something that is rarely done,” said Sterkel in the continued testimonial of his harrier. “ She earned a medal every year of her career at this meet. “She continuously commits herself to improving.”
Foltz was not the only Lady Warrior at the meet. Fellow senior Kali Gilpin entered the meet with a leap of five feet, two inches in high jump, but did not register a height in the finals.
“I will never forget Kali as being the first ever Lady Warrior to qualify for the Top Times Meet,” said Sterkel. “Three years ago, she made the decision to fully trust me and commit to the process. Her growth has been remarkable. She is one of the most coachable athletes that has been my honor to teach and work with.”