H-D-CAL’s Morton reflects on recent Track and Field success
Hampton-Dumont-CAL Track and Field standout Charlee Morton recently wrapped up a sophomore year full of incredible athletic feats when she took first place in the Class 3A Girls Discus and Shot Put in the state meet.
Morton’s throws of 137-06 in the Discus, and 42-05.25 in the Shot Put, single handedly awarded Hampton-Dumont-CAL 20 points in the team scoring at state. Those points scored were enough to place the Bulldogs 15th overall in the Girls 3A team rankings, and at certain moments during the three-day meet, H-D-CAL was even at the top of the list. Morton says she was happy to represent the town of Hampton at state.
“It feels so good. I’m so glad I could represent the H-D-CAL program and community, because a lot of people don’t know about us to be honest, like nobody really knows where Hampton is and I feel like just doing this and being able to represent, they’re going to be like ‘Oh I know Hampton now. I know who goes to Hampton.’ And that really like builds our community and lets people know about Hampton.”
The state titles in both field events were likely not a surprise to Morton’s competitors, as she took home the gold in the Discus and Shot Put in the Drake Relay’s. Throws of 43-03.50 and 146-03 in the Shot Put and Discus ended up being season bests for Morton at Drake. Morton says that going forward she wants to hold H-D-CAL school records in both events.
“I have two more years to do it. So that’s one of my goals… and getting my Discus record even higher and higher till nobody can break it ever. That’s another one of my goals, and going to those bigger meets like out of Iowa and competing against different girls so I can have more experience in big meets like [state].”
Morton says she’s looking to go to larger meets to get even more familiar with the big stage.
“I’m hoping to qualify for nationals this year… Competitions like these [there’s] a higher level of competition, and I’ve been to the nationals before but I want to keep on going and going to get more experience, and even maybe go to high school national meets somewhere like the Nike or Adidas one, but just getting more experience at these bigger meets will definitely help me perform better...”
Hampton-Dumont-CAL’s Charlee Morton will also look to defend her Track and Field titles next year as a junior.
