The Journal-World's 2017 All-Area girls track and field team, from left, Corinn Searcy, Tonganoxie, McKayla Maples, Eudora, Natalie Beiter, Baldwin, Carly Lindenmeyer, Baldwin, Kayla Kutz, Baldwin, Evann Seratte, Lawrence, Hannah Stewart, Lawrence and Cali Coleman, Perry-Lecompton.

Athlete of the Year: Emily Venters, Free State

Venters completed her decorated prep career by sweeping Class 6A state titles in the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters. Her fastest time in the 3,200 (10:16.61) ranked fourth in state history and her personal-best in the 1,600 (4:49.36) was the sixth-fastest. Venters, who won regional titles in both distance events, will run at Boise State next year.

All-Area Girls Track, Emily Venters, Free State

Coach of the Year: Mike Spielman, Baldwin

After winning a regional title and finishing runner-up in the Frontier League, the Bulldogs placed third at the Class 4A state meet with 57 points.

First team

Natalie Beiter, Baldwin — A talented sophomore, Beiter earned four state medals. She took fifth in the 800 (2:23.61), eighth in the 1,600 (5:29.13) and ran in two relays, including the state champion 4×400 relay. Beiter won Frontier League and regional titles in the 800 and 4×400.

Cali Coleman, Perry-Lecompton — Coleman won Big Seven League titles in the 100-meter dash and long jump. At the 3A state meet, the freshman placed fourth in the 100, seventh in the 200, ninth in the long jump and 13th in the 4×400 relay.

Kiran Cordes, Free State — Running in the 3,200 meters, Cordes finished fourth at the 6A state meet in 11:16.44. Signed to run at Adams State, she was runner-up at regionals and took 17th at the Kansas Relays.

Kayla Kurtz, Baldwin — Kurtz won a 4A state title in the javelin, unleashing a personal-record throw of 147 feet, and contributed to a third-place showing in the 4×100 relay. The sophomore, who took first in the javelin at eight meets, added a Frontier League title in the shot put.

Carly Lindenmeyer, Baldwin — At the 4A state meet, Lindenmeyer won a state title in the 4×400 relay, placed third in the 4×100 and was third in the long jump. Lindenmeyer, a sophomore, set a school record in the long jump when she won a regional title with a leap of 18 feet, 1.5 inches.

McKayla Maples, Eudora — Maples took third place at the 4A state meet in the high jump after runner-up finishes at regionals and the Frontier League, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches. The senior helped the Cardinals take 11th at state in the 4×800 relay.

Abby Ogle, Baldwin — Along with running the first leg of Baldwin’s state champion 4×400 relay, Ogle placed second in the 300 hurdles (46.08) and ninth in the 100 hurdles (15.98). The junior was first in the 300 hurdles at six meets, including regionals and the Frontier League.

Corinn Searcy, Tonganoxie — Searcy took fifth place in the 400 at the 4A state meet and helped the 4×400 relay to third place at state. A sophomore, she won a regional title in the 400 in 59.62 seconds and was third at the Kaw Valley League meet.

Evann Seratte, Lawrence — In the 6A state meet, Seratte was fourth in the 400 (58.12) and fifth in the 4×400 relay. The sophomore swept regional and Sunflower League titles in both events, adding a league title in the 800.

Hannah Stewart, Lawrence — The sophomore took second in the 800 at the 6A state meet in a season-best time of 2:17.66, and helped Lawrence’s 4×400 relay to fifth place. Stewart was third in the 800 at regionals and the Sunflower League meet.

Honorable mention

Emily Chambers, Tonganoxie; Auna Childress, Free State; Caylee Irving, Free State; Lexia Jamison, Perry-Lecompton; Kate Ogle, Baldwin; Pauline Sauter, Baldwin; Sierra Staatz, Tonganoxie; Talisa Stone, Perry-Lecompton; Cameryn Thomas, Free State; Baylee Unruh, Lawrence.