State-qualifying track and field athlete Hanna Schmidt has no plans on resting on her recent success.
Hot off her fourth-place finish in the long jump at last month’s Kansas State High School Activities Association State Championship, Schmidt is already preparing for the 2025-2026 sports season with plans for a third bid for a state title.
The state meet, “was really good,” said Schmidt. “Hurdles did not go as planned because I had a fall that Monday practice before the state meet, but overall I felt good. I was ready to jump this time. I feel good. I’m ready to go back next year.”
Schmidt took fourth place at state in the girls Class 1A long jump with 16 feet, 8.75 inches. She finished 13th in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.66, which was .31 seconds from breaking into the finals.
She qualified for state after taking the Iola regional title in hurdles after clearing the course in 15.88 seconds. She qualified for state in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 6.25 inches. Schmidt credits her father Nathan Schmidt – a former high school track athlete in Olpe and Hartford— for providing a few tips and making time to take her to the track for additional reps and runs.
“He was always taking me to the track to learn a new form,” Schmidt said.
With the track season in the books, Schmidt next turns her attention to the Crest Lady Lancer volleyball team, who wrapped up 2024 at the sub-state tournament with a 25-13 record and 16-3 in the Three Rivers League. With all but three players returning next fall, including three teammates on her summer club volleyball team, Schmidt hopes the summer can give her a head start on developing the right chemistry for next year’s program.
“We’re trying to get back to sub-state this year,” Schmidt said. “It’s pretty fun getting to communicate with them and get more practice with them. On and off the court, it’s pretty fun.”
Schmidt thanked Iola Register readers for nominating and voting for her as Allen County Area Athlete of the Month.
“It feels pretty good to know I’m succeeding in what I’m doing and people are noticing it,” Schmidt said.
As for next track season, she hopes to return to state and maybe break a few records en route to the medal podium.
“I’m just trying to do better each time. Get one record and go for another,” Schmidt said.
