#SDSportsAwards, girls track: Cortney Dowling kept improving for Pierre

On the state scene, there’s fast — and then there’s Cortney Dowling. Back at full strength after an injury-riddled junior season, the Pierre sensation is at top form — a daunting prospect for the competition considering Dowling’s dominance as a freshman and sophomore.

That’s right — Dowling, a seven-time state champion and 2013 and ’14 track star — is getting better.

“She has always improved year-after-year. It’s pretty exciting,” said coach Greg Starr. “Some athletes maybe taper off after a few years and don’t really get any better. But she keeps lowering times. She’s getting faster and faster — and stronger.”

MORE: See other winners of the S.D. Sports Awards

As a relative youngster on the varsity stage, Dowling shined as many others do in girls track. The sprinter of 2013-14 was, to the eye, pure speed — driving arms, quick legs and, at the end, a few strides ahead of the rest. As a senior, Dowling’s commitment to improved flexibility and strength has paid dividends, squeezing even more speed out of the senior sprinter.

“Cortney worked so hard in the offseason to right some wrongs in terms of muscle,” Starr said.

Entering the state meet, the senior carried the state’s best marks in the 100-, 200-, 400- and 800-meter run. The Augustana recruit won the 100 and 200, and finished second in the 400, a race for the ages.

“She’s healthy, ready to go and should be in for a great state meet,” Starr said.

After that, Dowling should be in for a stellar career at Augustana.