Shelby Bradley | Sports Co-Editor
Senior Laura Eberly is from Manning, Iowa with majors in Elementary Education as well as English. Lettering four times in her high school career, Eberly became one of Buena Vista University’s track and field team’s top sprinters.
Throughout Eberly’s career, she has had many significant accomplishments. Her 4×100 meter relay team, which includes fellow seniors Casey James, Maggie Marker, and Katie Larsen, had the opportunity to compete at Nationals, which took place in Ohio their junior year.
“We had chased the qualifying time for two years and were just off of it my sophomore year. I think it shows what a team with drive and determination can do,” Eberly said.
First year head coach Ryan Schroeder also knows the kind of determination Eberly possess to get things done and work hard.
“Simply put, Laura has the heart of a champion. She is one of the hardest workers on the team and will always do what is expected of her. She is the anchor leg of our indoor 4×200 relay team and outdoor 4×100 because I know when it comes down to it, she will do everything she can to win,” Schroeder said.
Eberly is amongst the top times for the team in the 200 meter dash as well as the 60 meter dash with times of 8.26 seconds and 26.95 seconds, respectively, and hopes to improve from there. Eberly wishes to return to Nationals with the 4×100 team and also to be Conference Champions in the 4×100 as well as the 4×200 meter relays.
“I definitely think my determination has improved year to year. I am finally realizing that my track career is coming to a close this year, and I want to leave it all here on the track. Because of this, my times are getting faster as I put in the work,” Eberly said.
Schroeder speaks highly of Eberly and discusses her placement within other sprinters in the Iowa Conference.
“Laura is one of the better sprinters in the conference, and she is primed to finish well and score points at the conference meet in a couple weeks. I’ve not met a better competitor in the conference and someone who wants to do their best more than Laura,” Schroeder said.
The Beavers will wrap up their indoor season on February 27-28, at the Iowa Conference Indoor Championships, hosted at Wartburg College beginning at 10 a.m.