Prep athletes of the week: Self-reliance, victories grow for Chanhassen's Izzy Roemer

As races get longer, Roemer, a junior distance runner, gets stronger.

In a challenging spring season, with limited competitions and no big meets bringing together the metro area's top runners, Roemer has found a way to stand out.

In a Metro West Conference quadrangular last week, she won the 1,600-meter run in 4:59.58, the second-best reported time in the state this season. She followed it up by winning the 800 meters in 2:23.61.

This came barely two weeks after running 3,200 meters in 10:29.99, by far the best time in the state this season.

That, Roemer said, is no coincidence. She always has been better at the longer distances. "In the mile and the 800, you need more speed and kick," she said. "In the two-mile, which I've only run once this season, it's more about strategy."

COVID-19 restrictions placed on meets this season often have forced Roemer and others to often with few competitors. She thinks the isolation has helped strengthen her racing.

"I hope to run in college, and this will serve me well to have that inner motivation," she said. "I'm definintely building up self-reliance right now. It helps with pacing and knowing everything that's going on."

The senior pitcher threw a one-hitter and had a hit and drew two walks in lifting the Panthers to a 1-0 victory over New Life Academy. Esch struck out 19 in the game and has 74 strikeouts in 29⅓ innings pitched.

The Jaguars earned a share of the Metro West Conference title with the freshman leading the offensive charge. In four games, she went 8-for-11 with three home runs, three doubles and nine RBI.

The shortstop has been vital to the Thunder's prolific offense. The team scored 38 runs in three games with Haas going 8-for-12 with a home run, six runs scored and five steals. She is hitting .600.

The senior captain led the Skippers to an 87-54 dual-meet victory over Edina with three victories. He won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, the 400 meters in a personal-record time of 50.71 and anchored the winning 4x400 relay team.

The sophomore outfielder was a tough out, helping the Bulldogs to a 4-1 week. She went 11-for-18 with two doubles and four home runs. She scored 10 runs, drove in 10 and picked up a victory in the circle as they defeated Big Lake 5-4.

In three games last week, the sophomore pitcher/shortstop threw 14⅔ innings without allowing an earned run and struck out 23. He was just as big of a force at the plate; his six extra-base hits included three home runs.