Barthelman hits Blue Standard, Lady Savages place fourth at Don Newell Classic

Ottumwa – For Summer Barthelman, April 16 is a date that won’t be easily forgotten. She and her team competed at the Don Newell Classic against teams consisting of Ottumwa and Iowa City West, among others. What she will remember most however, is putting everything on the line and running a PR in the 400m dash, qualifying for the Drake Relays in her senior year.

Barthelman entered the day sitting just outside the Blue Standard in the 400m dash, needing to run at least half a second better than her PR. She knew what she had to do, now it was just a matter of accomplishing it. Add in hot and humid conditions and Barthelman was in for a battle.

Sure enough, as she rounded the final turn into the front stretch it seemed like she’d be just on the cusp. It was going to be close. With coaches, fans and teammates urging her on to finish strong, Barthelman picked up her pace the last 50 meters, with Grace Nosbisch of Ottumwa in her shadow. Barthelman was able to edge away from her in the last couple strides, clocking in at 58.57 seconds, walked over to the infield and promptly collapsed. She’d given it everything she had and by running under 59 seconds, sealed her chance to run the 400m dash again on the Blue Oval.