Roessner named as top girls track athlete

Anna Roessner was selected as the inaugural Graphic Printing Company Athlete of the Year for girls track.

“I’m really thankful,” said Roessner. “It means a lot to me anytime I get recognized at all from people coming to me and just supporting in general because I put so much work into track and it means so much to me. Seeing the hard work pay off, I’m just so thankful everything worked out in my favor.”

Roessner dominated throughout the regular season, as she rarely had any competition outside of Coldwater’s Izzy Zahn pose a threat. She got the Indians into seventh place at the Midwest Athletic Conference meet by claiming the MAC title in the 100-meter dash and earning the runner-up spot to Zahn in the 200 and 400 dashes.

She breezed through the postseason, setting meet records at the district in the 100, 200 and 400 dashes, swept all three championships in the regional and medaled in all three at the OHSAA Division III state meet. She set the state record for Division III in the 100 dash at 11.75 seconds, leading to a state title. She finished as the state runner-up in the 200 dash and finished third in the 400.

Both Roessner and FRHS coach Christy Diller attributed a large portion of her success to the confidence she gained from the indoor track season, in which she claimed state titles in the 60 dash and 400 dash.

“Knowing this was my last season, I really wanted to go out with a bang,” said the Hillsdale College commit. “The indoor season really prepared me for the outdoor season and gave me so much confidence going into it..”

“The experience that she brings, the dedication and the hard work sets a great example for younger kids,” said Diller, who is also Roessner’s aunt. “And she’s an all-around good kid. … For her to go (to state) by herself, it’s hard. I’ve done it and it’s hard to get up for the races when you don’t have your team around you. …

“The experience of her this season is easily one of the pinnacles of my athletic career, whether it be coaching or participating myself. Being able to have a front row seat to that is just so neat and amazing.”