Team Spotlight - Pleasant Valley HS Girls
This interview features the Pleasant Valley high school girls team, interview with head coach Jane Wheeler. In 2011 cross country, Pleasant Valley won its 7th straight Mississippi Athletic Conference cross country championships and finished 3rd in the State 4A meet. The 2012 Spartans return the top seven from 2011, expected to be led by Maddie Reynolds (junior, 10th in State, 4000m - 14:27), Addie Royer (sophomore, 11th, 14:28), Kaley Ciluffo (sophomore, 18th, 14:36) and Mickey Malmgren (junior, 9th in 2010, 14:25).
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School, location (city, state) - Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, Iowa
Team (boys, girls, both) – Girls
Head Coach – Jane Wheeler
Assistant Coach(es) - Josh Hoffman, Leslie Wonderlich (volunteer), Logan Beausoleil (volunteer)
Top (state level) athletes; name, grade, PR’s –
Kaley Ciluffo – sophomore, 2012 USATF national champion in the 800 (2:10) and runner up in the 1500 (4:41); 4K PR of 14:36
Maddie Reynolds – junior, 2 x all state cross country; 4K PR of 14:2
Addie Royer – sophomore, 11 th at state cross country in 2011, 4K PR of 14:28
Mickey Malmgren – junior, Elite ALL State in 2010 cross country; school record holder in 4K with PR of 14:25
Key(s) to the success of your team – Using our depth as a weapon to work together to beat other teams. Staying healthy. Gradual progression throughout the season (peaking at the right time).
Your favorite meet(s) – home meet (PV Challenge), Marshalltown Invite (just started taking our varsity there last year), Clinton Invite, and State Meet. Overall, we really like our entire schedule.
What you most love about cross country - I was fortunate enough to grow up a runner and participate in high school and college cross country. I have always felt it is the best sport for teaching kids great values and work ethic and greater life lessons about commitment, dedication, and teamwork. I love the camaraderie not only on teams but between teams at cross country meets; and I love how everyone can take part and improve in running if they are willing to work hard.
Teams you most enjoy competing against -
Bettendorf - Cross town rival but great team and very much respect team and the coaches.
Iowa City High - Tom Mittman was my coaching mentor as a student teacher; and they have an excellent tradition and teach their gals lessons beyond just running.
Dowling Catholic - You have to want to compete against the best in the state; and Coach Kirby has done a great job of building an excellent all-around program there.
Team goals for the season – Capture our 8th straight conference title, win districts, and go for that allusive state title. We were third at state last year and would like to be in the trophies again this year; but believe we are capable of winning the entire meet as we return all our top gals.
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See the IOWATFXC.COM Pleasant Valley HS webpage at https://ia.milesplit.com/teams/PVHS .
See the PVHS cross country website at http://www.pleasval.k12.ia.us/highschool/teachers/wheelerjane/PVGXC%20website/index.html .
