Holland track quartet breaks 26-year-old school relay record, more on way

HOLLAND - It was a record that took more than a quarter of a century to break, but it just took one prompt from coach Megan Lambers to get the Dutch in gear.

She told the Holland quartet to go for it, and that was enough motivate Olivia Weiss, Tessa Nienhuis, Ashlyn DePoy and Johanna Mulder to the school record in the 4x800-meter relay (10:05.02).

"We came to the track and went for it and ended up beating it by three seconds," Weiss said. "Last year, it was a little disappointing when we didn't break the old record. But (now we have), and I think we can definitely go faster."

The previous record was set by Heidi Hondorp, Kendra Snyder, Amy Hoving, Kirsten Werley (10:08.1) in 2000.

More: How West Ottawa track's Charlie Sanders became state's fastest sprinter

Weiss started the group out and set the pace.

"It is refreshing to be done first, then really important to go back and forth across the track to cheer on my teammates," Weiss said. "Breaking it was really special."

Holland's Tessa Nienhuis, Ashlyn DePoy, Olivia Weiss and Johanna Mulder set the 4x800 school record.

Weiss handed the baton to Nienhuis.

"It has been very special. There is a big sense of home on this team.I didn't think I would be part of a record relay. We went for it and when we got it, we were just so happy to have achieved that," Nienhuis said.

The baton then went to DePoy, who had to keep the pace.

"I know what my job is to close the gap and know where we are to do the best for my team," DePoy said. "It means a lot. I didn't think I would be able to do it with the injuries I have had to overcome. It just means that we are all stronger than we think."