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Larson

Women's Track and Field By Jeff Hagenau

Larson's determination played vital role in program's success

Senior distance runner finished standout career with memorable, record-breaking final race

WAUKESHA, Wis. - After taking each challenge in stride and literally going the extra mile to help the Carroll University women's track and field team over the course of her standout career, it seemed only fitting that Karlee Larson's final collegiate race would be one for the record books.
Larson, a senior from De Pere, Wis., capped her memorable career by taking the baton and running the grueling 1,600-meter anchor leg of the distance medley relay at the Pointer Final Qualifier held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Multi Activity Center on Saturday, March 7th - combining in the event with sophomores Alli Spitzer from Casco, Wis., Abby Brinkman from Hanover Park, Ill. and Abbey Casey from Des Plaines, Ill. to finish in a season-best time of 12:28.70, establishing a Carroll indoor program record in the process.
With the sudden, dramatic cancellation of the spring season, it proved to be the team's final race of 2020 and became a special one to remember for the humble, hard-working battle-tested veteran.
"When I crossed the finish line after the mile leg of the distance medley relay and saw everyone cheering and running towards me, I felt like I was on top of the world because I knew we had broken the record," said Larson, of the thrilling accomplishment. "I was so proud of my teammates and myself because we had worked so hard to get to that point. This was the best ending to my career because it was such a special moment with our friends and family there to support us. It was a great feeling to know that I had worked hard during the last four years and it definitely paid off in a monumental way. I couldn't have asked for a better final race or a better group of girls to have by my side."
The talented quartet finished the indoor season ranked 47th in the nation as compiled by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) - shattering the long-standing mark of 12:38.32 set by former Carroll standouts Michelle Weber, Danielle Johnson, Amy Killian and Megan O' Grady during the Midwest Conference Championships in 2009.
"Looking back on everything I accomplished throughout my track career, I can see how much I grew with the help and support of both my teammates and coaching staff," said Larson, who finished as a 10-time College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin all-conference qualifier in track and field/cross country during her highly productive time with the Pioneers. "This sport taught me so much about myself and really shaped who I am today. My accomplishments can be attributed to hard work, dedication, and passion for distance running. I laid it all out there at every conference meet and ran for not only myself, but my team. It was cool to see how much I had improved since my freshman year and for my accomplishments to be recognized over the years. I couldn't have asked for a better indoor season to cap off my track career. With a lifetime PR in the mile (referring to a second-place finish at this year's CCIW indoors in 5:10.97 on Feb. 29th) and a new distance medley relay school record, I'll always have the incredible memories to look back on."
It was a highly successful final indoor season for Larson, who showcased her consistency by responding with eight top-four individual finishes highlighted by three titles and two second-place finishes while also contributing to the steady improvement of several relays.
For Larson, any amount of individual success was secondary to being a good leader, helping with the team's progression and working together to create many special memories.
"One of my best memories as a part of the team was our trip to Louisville, Kentucky (2018) to compete at Bellarmine University," said Larson, who served as a positive influence and mentor over the past two seasons to talented CCIW all-conference standout sophomore Alli Spitzer. "Looking back, it was a great trip in terms of team bonding and it was just nice to have a fun, different atmosphere when competing. We had a good time in the sunshine and warm weather, and I think that made all the difference.
The other memory that will always stick with me is the culmination of our Tuesday practices. We always had tough workouts, and Coach (Shawn) Thielitz made it fun by playing music to brighten the mood as we focused on improving and continued to work on becoming a close, cohesive team. We always cheered, showed great support for one another and stressed the importance of family. It's something that brought us together and set this group apart from the rest."
For Carroll veteran head coach Shawn Thielitz, watching Larson's gradual development as a competitor was a rewarding experience.
"I am in awe of how much Karlee matured both as a competitor and personally during her time at Carroll," said Thielitz, who recently completed his 18th year at the helm. "She came in as a very shy freshman who struggled with self confidence.  From a competitor's standpoint, she was afraid to take chances and found comfort being in the shadows of the spotlight.  Once she began to take chances you could see her confidence and ability grow.
I believe that process began during the outdoor season of her freshman year.  I had constant dialogue with her about the mile being her best event.  I never told her but the reason why I encouraged her to pursue the mile was because she had never done it before and that blank slate allowed her the opportunity to build an identity while learning the event.  Though hesitant at first to embrace the challenge, it became her passion and favorite by the time she was done.  I have coached very few competitors that have the drive and mental toughness that Karlee developed for the second half of the mile race. 
This is a direct correlation with her life.  The first half of the race symolized her life up until she was 18- and 19 years old and the second half is who she is today - driven, outgoing, great sense of humor and striving to be in the center of that spotlight.  Though never craving the spotlight, she is more comfortable being in it now.  She has grown to be best described by the song "Champion" by Carrie Underwood.
"I appreciate and am thankful for everything that Karlee has given to our cross country and track programs.  She doesn't realize the positive impact and lasting impression she made with our teams. It was truly an inspirational journey that will be talked about and remembered for a long time to come."
During her time at Carroll, Larson has taken great pride in being a valuable part of the program's development while transitioning into the talent-rich, nationally recognized CCIW.
"Over the years, this program has meant so much to me and really shaped the person I am today," added Larson, one of 11 seniors on the roster this season (also including Maddy Blaedow, Savannah Burmeister, Brooke Dietsche, Erika Dunnam, McKenna Happold, Hannah Kloehn, Emily Kraus, Tori Reinders, Kaitlin Squier and Emily Uitenbroek). "I am so glad I had a chance to be part of the team as we transitioned from the Midwest Conference to the CCIW. Over these past couple of years, we made some noise and people are now recognizing Carroll track and field for all the success we have had. We've grown so much as a program and I think that is important as we found our identity within the conference. We're definitely a force to be reckoned with and that is not going unnoticed by our competitors. I'm so honored that I was able to be a part of this journey and to help shape the program into what it is today."
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PIONEER FAST FACTS
Who: Karlee Larson
What: Senior distance runner for the Carroll University women's track and field team
Hometown: De Pere, Wis.
Accomplishments: Finished her standout career as a 10-time all-conference selection in track and field/cross country
Note: During her final season, Larson showcased her consistency by responding with eight top-four individual finishes highlighted by three titles and two second-place finishes while also contributing to the steady improvement of several relays - capped by running the anchor leg of the school-record breaking distance medley relay on March 7th.
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Players Mentioned

Maddy Blaedow

Maddy Blaedow

Senior
Abby Brinkman

Abby Brinkman

Sophomore
Abbey Casey

Abbey Casey

Sophomore
Erika Dunnam

Erika Dunnam

Senior
McKenna Happold

McKenna Happold

Senior
Hannah Kloehn

Hannah Kloehn

Senior
Emily Kraus

Emily Kraus

Senior
Karlee Larson

Karlee Larson

Senior
Tori Reinders

Tori Reinders

Senior
Alli Spitzer

Alli Spitzer

Sophomore
Emily Uitenbroek

Emily Uitenbroek

Senior
Brooke Dietsche

Brooke Dietsche

Senior

Players Mentioned

Maddy Blaedow

Maddy Blaedow

Senior
Abby Brinkman

Abby Brinkman

Sophomore
Abbey Casey

Abbey Casey

Sophomore
Erika Dunnam

Erika Dunnam

Senior
McKenna Happold

McKenna Happold

Senior
Hannah Kloehn

Hannah Kloehn

Senior
Emily Kraus

Emily Kraus

Senior
Karlee Larson

Karlee Larson

Senior
Tori Reinders

Tori Reinders

Senior
Alli Spitzer

Alli Spitzer

Sophomore
Emily Uitenbroek

Emily Uitenbroek

Senior
Brooke Dietsche

Brooke Dietsche

Senior