Center Grove senior Kate Henselmeier is the Daily Journal’s Athlete of the Year in girls track and field.
Daily Journal file photo
Never underestimate the motivational capabilities of a seventh-place medal.
After having one placed around her neck at the 2022 state meet, Center Grove sprinter Kate Henselmeier started to sense she could accomplish exceptional things with her lone remaining high school season.
She turned that vision into reality this spring, finishing second at state in the 400-meter dash in a school-record time of 55.46 seconds.
Henselmeier, who qualified for three events at state earlier this month, is the Daily Journal’s Athlete of the Year in girls track and field.
“Kate really set her mind to be great this year, and she did that,” Trojans coach Wes Dodson said. “It was just a totally different level. She didn’t think she could be beat, and this season people would come to meets to see her run.
“And she never disappointed. I think that was the coolest thing.”
Over the course of her three varsity seasons — the 2020 campaign was a no-go due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Henselmeier competed in a total of eight events, including all three relays and the long jump.
But it was the 400 where the 5-foot-9 Henselmeier put her stride and finishing kick to best use.
“My sophomore year, I wasn’t too serious about track yet, but I always enjoyed the atmosphere of track,” Henselmeier said. “Definitely, this year I began having a lot more confidence in myself. I did surprise myself.
“Even when I hit goals, I thought maybe I should be doing better.”
Center Grove established a new standard this season, finishing an all-time best fifth in the team standings at state. Henselmeier, who was completely spent following the 400 and had to jog to a ninth-place finish in the 200 after qualifying for the final earlier in the meet, played a major role.
In January, Henselmeier committed to attend the University of Central Florida. She will compete for the Knights while also pursuing a major in kinesiology.
The current UCF squad, which was ranked as high as third nationally this past spring and is fresh off another American Athletic Conference championship, includes 29 athletes who are from the state of Florida. Henselmeier will be the lone Hoosier on the roster.
Central Florida will be joining the Big 12 Conference at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.
“I’m really excited to be able to run against some of these extraordinary girls,” Henselmeier said. “This team is really amazing, and I’m excited to be part of the Big 12 Conference.”
