Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Participating in four sports throughout her high school career has made Annie Gahan an expert at managing a busy schedule.

Gahan says the year-round, multi-sport experience is part of what has allowed her to experience success during each specific sports season.

That same history of keeping busy has come in handy for the Regina junior during a rare lull in her athletic career over the last month.

A four-sport athlete for as long as she can recall, Gahan has done her best to keep her schedule full despite the current global pandemic putting a pause on spring sports.

“It honestly is very weird, I don’t remember the last time I went a full month without practices,” Gahan said. “I’ve been working on my own but not having any set up practices is just so weird. I definitely haven’t ever gone this long without sports.”

After easing into the varsity level over the past two seasons Gahan was in the middle of a breakthrough junior year at Regina when the coronavirus put a halt to high school sports.

In the fall Gahan led the Regina volleyball team in ace serves, blocks and digs and ranked third on the team with kills.

The breakthrough volleyball season paved the way for the best basketball year of Gahan’s career.

Gahan averaged 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while helping Regina post a 16-8 record and advance to the Class 2A regional title game.

“Last year I was still kind of new to varsity and playing at that level,” Gahan said. “Starting this year I just boosted my confidence immediately.”

Already a two-time state medalist in the 400 hurdles Gahan was excited to continue her hectic sports schedule this spring.

After placing eighth in the 400 hurdles as a freshman in 2018 Gahan climbed to fifth last year at the 2A state meet.

“Track is definitely at the top of my favorite sports,” Gahan said. “There is just something about track, it’s definitely a love hate relationship but there is something about it.”

Gahan got just one chance to compete before high school sports were put on hold but appeared poised to continue her breakout junior season this spring.

Just more than a week after the basketball season ended with a loss to Cascade in the regional finals Gahan finished 10th in the 400 out of more than 200 entries at the Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome.

Gahan clocked a 1:03.16 in her first and only attempt at the 400 this season at the indoor meet on March 9, a time that was just a second off her best time in the event last season.

“Working hard in the offseason pays off,” Gahan said. “I just went out there and gave it everything I had. I was hoping to improve my times obviously but I may not get that opportunity.”

Of the nine runners to place ahead of Gahan in the 400 five were from 4A schools.

The opportunity to compete against the top runners in the state is something Gahan looks forward to at the early season indoor meets.

“I really like competing against the bigger schools,” Gahan said. “Even if I’m not getting first it lets me see if I am improving throughout the season when we are going to bigger meets.”

With the rest of her junior season in limbo Gahan continues to try to state busy.

The starting shortstop on the Regina softball team and a .270 hitter a year ago Gahan is mixing some softball work into her schedule alongside her track workouts while she waits to hear when organized sports will return.

“I’ve been going on a lot of runs just trying to stay in shape,” Gahan said. “I’ve worked on hurdles a few times and I’ve taken ground balls. I’ve just been trying to keep it as normal as I can.”

In the meantime Gahan tries to stay positive as she awaits news on whether softball season will allow her a final chance to play alongside her older sister Elly.

“I have had my doubts and I’ve been kind of sad at times but staying positive has really helped me,” Gahan said. “Having a track season would be nice but there is a chance that it doesn’t happen. Elly and I have such a good connection and even on the field, it would be hard not being able to play with her again so hopefully we are able to have a softball season together.”

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