Girls track and field: All-County team

Without realizing it at the time, Amy Luttrell exceeded her goal of becoming a state pole vault champion.

Her time in midair enabled the Greenwood senior to clear 50 years of history.

The medal placed around Luttrell’s neck marked the first time a member of a Woodmen program that debuted the spring of 1974 was regarded as the best of the best.

“I was really overwhelmed at first,” said Luttrell, whose personal best of 12 feet, 9 inches earned her a title during the state meet at Indiana University’s Robert C. Haugh Stadium. “I felt really proud of myself. It’s just been a big goal of mine, but I didn’t know if it would happen.”

Luttrell, who also played volleyball at Greenwood and graduated with seven varsity letters, is the Daily Journal’s Athlete of the Year in girls track and field.

Like a lot of female pole vaulters, Luttrell had a gymnastics background before giving track and field a try her freshman year. Her ability to catch on quickly paved the way for three state meet appearances during her career.

Luttrell made it over the bar at 11 feet to place 12th as a sophomore, then returned to go a foot higher and place fifth last year before winning it all as a senior.

A view from the top of the awards podium at state is one a very small percentage of track athletes experience. Luttrell has, and will never forget it.

“It just felt really rewarding,” said Luttrell, who also ranked eighth academically in Greenwood’s senior class of 262 students with a 4.4 grade-point average. “I’ve worked so hard these past four years. It felt freeing that all that work was going to a good cause.”

Greenwood girls track and field first qualified athletes for state in 1980 in junior Stacy Reed (100 hurdles) and sophomore Beth Cannon (1,600 yard run). Reed became the first Woodmen female to medal, placing sixth in hurdles the following season.

Prior to Luttrell’s accomplishments, Greenwood’s best-ever finish was sophomore Ellie Irwin tying for fourth in the high jump in 2022.

Fittingly, it’s Irwin, who left Greenwood after that season to attend Homestead — her father Rob, the former Greenwood athletic director, was hired to serve the same role there — who is going to room with Luttrell at Indiana State University beginning later this summer.

Both will be members of the Sycamores’ track and field team. Luttrell plans to major in applied medicine.

Prior to Luttrell entering high school, the Greenwood standard in girls pole vault was 9-6. She eclipsed that height as a sophomore and never once looked back.

Winning state placed Luttrell in her own rarefied air in Woodmen history.

“We knew that was a possibility. We knew Amy had the ability to do it, and that was the goal all along,” Greenwood coach Blaine Williams said. “She’s an amazing person.

“In the time that’s passed since the state meet, the people I’ve talked to are so happy because a good thing happened to such a good kid. We’re just absolutely thrilled that she’s our first girls state champion in any track and field event.”

ALL-COUNTY TEAM

The 2024 All-County team for girls track and field:

Libby Dowty, Indian Creek sophomore: Was the state runner-up in the 3,200-meter run, finishing in 10:15.14 … Sectional champion in the 3,200 and runner-up in the 1,600 … Won both events at both county and sectional meets.

Emma Gardner, Greenwood junior: Picked up a ninth-place state medal in the discus with a throw of 131 feet, 10 inches … State qualifier in the shot put … County and sectional champion, as well as a regional runner-up, in both throwing events.

Tori Jackson, Whiteland senior: Capped her career with a second straight state medal in the 800, placing fifth in 2:11.35 … Also led off the Warriors’ 4×800 relay, which finished seventh … County and sectional champ in the 800 … Set to run at Ball State.

Lauren Klem, Franklin senior: Finished 15th at state in the 400, breaking her own school record with a 58.48 … Anchored the Grizzly Cubs’ fourth-place 4×400 relay … Sectional champion and regional runner-up in the 400 … Will run track and cross country at Xavier.

Amy Luttrell, Greenwood senior: Became the first Woodmen female to win a state championship, taking the pole vault with a lifetime best of 12 feet, 9 inches … County and sectional champion and regional runner-up … Will vault at Indiana State.

Aubrey Runyon, Franklin junior: Came away from the state meet with three medals, placing fifth in both the 100 and 300 hurdles while leading off the Grizzly Cubs’ fourth-place 4×400 relay … County and sectional champion in both hurdles events.

Elnora Stevenson, Whiteland sophomore: Fourth in the state in the long jump at 18-5 1/2, medaling for the second year in a row … Also ran on the Warriors’ 12th-place 4×100 relay and qualified for state in the 200 meters … Won the 200 and long jump at sectional.

Carly VonDielingen, Whiteland sophomore: Earned a state medal in the discus, placing seventh at 137-9, while narrowly missing another in the shot put (10th at 41-5) … Third at regional in both events and second in the shot at sectional.

Khloie Walker, Center Grove senior: Medaled at state for a second straight year in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet to tie for ninth … Vaulted 11-6 at regional, edging Luttrell to win title … Was runner-up at county and sectional meets.

Honorable mention

Emma Bertel, Franklin; Dee Biddings, Center Grove; Ainsley Botkin, Franklin; Ashley Cooprider, Whiteland; Makena Cruse, Greenwood; Sophia Dyer, Whiteland; Addison Emberton, Whiteland; Madison Fleury, Whiteland; Sami Frazier, Franklin; Bella Fuentes, Whiteland; Annibelle Gillbert, Whiteland; Diana Hodges, Center Grove; Marissa Kratowicz, Whiteland; Molly Margison, Indian Creek; Addison Martin, Franklin; Gretchen Meisberger, Center Grove; Hallie Mimbela, Center Grove; Marissa Pogue, Center Grove; Sydney Rodgers, Whiteland; Lilly Rollings, Greenwood; Lena Shipp, Whiteland; Hannah Smith, Center Grove; Hanna Stewart, Franklin