Bloomer’s triplet-led track quartet running with purpose
BLOOMER — If you’ve been to La Crosse for the Wisconsin state high school track and field championships over the last two years, you might have been seeing triple. Dressed in Bloomer orange, junior Blackhawk triplets Ciara, Briella and Aliya Hartman, along with junior Sophie Strand, have captured back-to-back state titles in the 4x800-meter relay. La Crosse is well in their sights again this year, as they hope to leave with their third title in three years.
“They saw success their freshmen year and they decided, ‘Wow, we want to do this again and again,’” Bloomer coach Carla Favilla said. “They want to go down in history. ” In 2024, the Hartmans and Strand won state with a time of 9 minutes, 23.
18 seconds. Last year, they upped the ante even more, setting a new state Division 2 record of 9:18. 14.
“As freshmen, we kind of just went out and did our best. There weren’t many expectations or pressures,” Ciara said. “After winning and coming back sophomore year, we were like, ‘We want to defend our title,’ but we had a little bit more pressure.
” Another state record seems achievable for the Hartmans and Strand, who’ve pushed one another through all the pressure they’ve faced over the years. With three brothers growing up, Strand instantly drew to sports. After meeting the Hartmans in seventh grade, she seamlessly fit in the Hartman sisterhood.