![Bass Clef Choir members Zion Ondoma, Henry Hansen, and Zerik Nicholson harmonize vocals while singing "Prayer of the Children". “[It’s] a piece dealing with the Bosnian conflicts of the ‘90s,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Matthew Jensen, “but is applicable to what's happening today all over the world.” The students will perform the song during Large Group Contests in Cedar Falls in May.](https://riverhawkpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260414_111618-1200x554.jpg)
The Mason City Riverhawk girls’ track team is starting the season off fresh this week, beginning with the indoor Co-Ed Iowa Alliance Conference Meet at the MCHS Field House.
Runners say they are coming back with great attitudes and an even better mindset.
“New year, same sport, different feeling,” said sophomore Olivia Shipman.
Head coach Jim Lee has coached the MCHS girls’ track team for a total of 33 years.
“I absolutely love coaching girls’ track and field at Mason City High School and feel blessed every year working with and getting to know such wonderful young women on the team,” Lee said.
Twenty teams will compete at the meet, which begins Friday afternoon at 3:30. A lot of the girls say they are already looking forward to the outdoor season.
“I’m more excited for the outdoor season because I prefer outdoor than indoor, but we’re gonna have a good season this year,” said junior Latasha York.
“It’s definitely a different atmosphere than it is outside, for sure,” said senior Brogan Evans, “Also, definitely mentally harder. For distance runners, too, because it’s like twice as many laps.”
Evans state qualified last year. All of the distance girls are getting straight to it, running their miles, with their new distance coach, Tyler Hunt, who is determined for them to run their best.
“We always have goals in everything in life, and specifically with track,” said Hunt, “We want to get everything there, as many teams to state as we can, and whether that’s four by eight individual events, group team events, whatever we can do.”
Coach Lee says he always has high hopes no matter the season.
“[I] feel good about the team’s chances to be competitive and to have fun as a team,” said Lee. “Tracks a team sport, not just an individual sport.”
All of the Varsity girls’ main focus is on making it to state. But even if they don’t, they’ll say they still support the ones who do. Track is not just a team, it’s a family.
“When you’re running the last stretch of your race and hear your teammates cheering and screaming at you, it gives you a boost you didn’t know you had left in you,” said sophomore Brynn Peterson who is running the 4×400 and 4×800 in Friday’s meet.
Keep an eye out for last season’s state qualifier, Senior: Brogan Evans, Juniors: Anna Latham, Latasha York, Paizlee Carter and Peyton Zilge. Along with sophomores Callan Fitzgerald and Brynn Peterson.
Field events begin at 3:30, followed by running at 4:30.
