An Ipswich eighth-grade running phenom got a prestigious invitation this week.
Macy Heinz will run in the special invitation girls' 800 meters at 7:55 p.m. Friday on the first day of the two-day 88th annual Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls. Last season, she was named the MVP of the State B track meet as Heinz led Ipswich to the state title by winning three events.
Heinz will run against two seniors (Madeline Strandemo of Fargo South and Lindsey Strait of Castlewood), two juniors (Whitlee Larson of Yankton and Hannah Hearn of Rapid City Central) and three sophomores (Calley Roth of Freeman, Emily Person of Rapid City Stevens and Rachel Propst of Pierre).
"It is an honor to have an athlete get chosen to represent your school and your community in the Howard Wood special event," Ipswich coach Todd Thorson said. "This event has a tradition of featuring the best athletes from the upper Midwest. She comes to practice everyday with a smile on her face and ready to work hard. Her biggest strength is her ability to focus on personal improvement instead of time or place. This kind of attitude has set her up to be successful on and off the track."
Rapid City Stevens coach Paul Hendry recently said of Heinz: "She's not afraid of much. Sometimes the younger they are, they don't worry as much. They just get out and run."