After missing most of basketball season due to injuries, Tvedt is rediscovering herself in the throwing circle

Mandi Tvedt underestimated the amount of work that it would require to return to her normal self.
The junior began the most recent basketball season healthy for the Lady Herders, but sprained her ankle just three games into the season. After keeping her ankle elevated and resting up, she returned to the court for Glenrock on a limited basis after the Christmas break. Tvedt was back on the court with her teammates for two weeks when she suffered another injury. She fractured her foot and was unable to play the rest of the season.
Tvedt has since recovered from her injury and is rediscovering her form in the shot put and discus throw, but it hasn’t come easy.
“I didn’t realize how much work it would take to get back,” Tvedt said. “It’s been like learning to walk again because I haven’t been able to put too much pressure on my foot.”
Part of the battle for Tvedt has been getting back into the throwing circle and refamiliarizing herself with the techniques that allow her to succeed in both events. She set a personal record in each event last season and is currently sixth in school history in the shot put with a distance of 30 feet, 8.5 inches, which she recorded at last year’s regional meet.
The other challenge for Tvedt, which she admitted is her weak point, is the mental aspect of trying to make her way back.
“You can go out at practice and throw all you want,” she said. “But at the meets you can’t always do that. It’s about being able to get yourself mentally right.”
At last Wednesday’s Wheatland Invite, which was moved up from Saturday due to inclement weather, Tvedt finished 11th in the discus throw with a toss of 72 feet, 9 inches, and 13th in the shot put with a distance of 25 feet, 5 inches.
She returned to the doctor today for a follow-up appointment yesterday and admitted she probably shouldn’t be competing, but it’s her love for the sport that’s kept her in the throwing circle. Ex-Lady Herder Mikalah Jones and senior Shyla Whalen have been there to push Tvedt over the years, and the goal that she set for herself then, remains the same today.
“I still want to pre-qualify for state,” Tvedt said. “It’s always been my goal to make it there.”
Tvedt recognizes an uphill climb awaits her if she hopes to return to where she was throwing at the end of last season. She knows she’s more than capable, but it all starts with the right mentality.

TRIO OF HERDERS PRE-QUALIFY FOR STATE
There aren’t many surprises when it comes to Tucker Bopp and his abilities on the track. The All-State sprinter pre-qualified for May’s state meet in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter at last Wednesday’s meet in Wheatland, taking home the top spot in the 400, second in the 100 and third in the 200.
Annelise Clark also secured a pre-qualifying time of her own in the 400-meter, crossing the finish line in 1:02.02. She previously qualified for the 300-meter hurdles at the Natrona County Invite. Ian Arnold also added his name to the pre-qualifying list for Glenrock with a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.87.
As a team, Jaren Fritz, Aidan Orozco, Cole Thornock and Arnold also secured a pre-qualifying time for the Herders in the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 47.20.
BEST OF THE REST
Cole Thornock finished sixth in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 7.75 inches. Paxton Piasecki kept close in the early going and took fifth in the high jump, clearing a height of 5 feet, 6 inches.
Alex St. Gelais had himself a day in the throwing pits for Glenrock. He took third in both the shot put and discus throw, and was joined by Jonah Young and Julih Pittsley in the shot put, who took 10th and 16th, respectively.
Kassia George claimed ninth in the 200-meter with a time of 29.39. Courtney Taper and Hope Rau each finished in the top-10 in the 800-meter. Taper crossed the finish line at 3:01.86 in seventh, and Rau took 10th in 3:10.65. Taper also took 8th in the 1600-meter, finishing right behind Alescia Jenkins in seventh at a time of 6:46.94. The team of Katelyn Cathcart, Emma Weisser, George and Clark took second in the 4x100-meter relay in a time of 54.58.
Skylar Harford duked it out with Elly and Halle Smith of Wheatland in the high jump, finishing in a three-way tie for second at a height of 4 feet, 8 inches.

UP NEXT
The Herders will take the short drive up Interstate 25 on Friday to compete at the Kelly Walsh Invite. The meet is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start time.