Roland-Story girls track thrives in relays. Kamryn Lande and Adalyn Sporleder are a big reason why

Even though they're just sophomores, Roland-Story's Kamryn Lande and Adalyn Sporleder have been running track together for a long time.

They started around first grade and quickly established themselves as the fastest girls in their class.

"Kam showed me a picture that was taken back when they both raced each other in third grade at our Elementary School’s Little Norse Relays," said Roland-Story coach Andy Herrick. "The picture shows Kam beating Adalyn by six feet."

The duo has had a friendly rivalry ever since they started running together.

“I think it’s fun,” Lande said. “We push ourselves during practice.”

But in high school, they've really made their presence known as teammates during relay races.

"As track coaches, we look at lots of data and performances trying to calculate how to best use our athletes," Herrick said. "The great news is that I have confidence these two can help any of our sprint relays make it to state."

Both runners made a huge impact on Norse relay teams as freshmen.

They ran on three state-qualifying relay teams together last year. Lande and Sporleder helped Roland-Story place fourth in Class 2A during the distance medley relay with a time of 4:17.31, fifth in the 4x100 with a 51.23 showing and eighth in the sprint medley with a 1:53.53 showing.

Though they don't exchange the baton with each other during their races, they both feed off each other and have a tremendous impact.

Sporleder is fantastic out of the blocks, so she runs the first leg. Lande has a great kick, so she'll run either the third leg or anchor the race.

“For me, coming off the blocks I know I’ll get in front,” Sporleder said. “Then we can just keep that place until we get the baton to Kam and she’ll just push us even farther in front.”

Roland-Story also brings back junior Lauryn Kilstofte, another sophomore in Kennedy Petersen and seniors Madi Bauer, Mary Britten and Reagan Faber off last year's state relay teams.

Individually, Lande has the potential in the open 400. Sporleder is an elite long jumper, placing fourth in 2A as a freshman with a jump of 17 feet, 3.5 inches.

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During their opening meet of the season Monday at Bondurant, Lande won the 400 in 1:05.95 and Sporleder placed fifth in the long jump with a distance of 14-7.75.

Both expect to make big jumps as the season progresses. But they face some challenges.

Roland-Story's Dallas Kray Track & Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City is undergoing renovations. That means the Norse don't have a home track to compete on this year.

"It's a rough start not having a track to practice on," Sporleder said. "Right now we're doing exchange zones in the street."

Lande added that they are looking to practice at Gilbert and South Hamilton a couple times this season.

Even with the difficulties they face with not having a home track, Lande and Sporleder have high expectations for the 2023 season.

"We want to make it to state and make it to Drake in more than just the 4x100," Sporleder said. "We want to keep doing better each meet."

Herrick said both Lande and Sporleder have the potential to qualify for the state meet in four events.

"I have three goals in mind for them this year," Herrick said. "First, to help qualify a relay to the Drake Relays. We were close last year with our sprint medley and we did well with our 4x100. Second, my goal is for them to help the team win the Heart of Iowa Conference track meet. Lastly, to have them compete in four events at the state meet."

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Kamryn Lande and Adalyn Sporleder spark strong Norse girls relay teams