Bulldogs Track and Field Star Reflects on High School Career

Hampton-Dumont-CAL (HDCAL) track and field star, senior Charlee Morton, is in the midst of one of the most memorable individual careers for any Bulldog athlete in recent memory. Morton has won back to back region championships at the Drake Relays and state championships in both shot put and discus. Morton said that she is glad to be able to represent Hampton with her very successful high school career up to this point. 

“It means a lot to me to be able to represent my community,” said Morton. “Just my first year when I won those I wasn’t really expecting to win them and it just shows how much hard work I’ve put into this sport and in the off-season.”

Morton mentioned how she has her eyes set on winning a third straight region and state championships. 

“I’m doing more lifting and I’m still ready for more,” Morton said. “I’m just trying to stay focused on getting a three-peat for Drake Relays and for state. If I win disc and shot for the third straight year at the Drake Relays I will be one of the only people to ever win three in a row in both. It is great that I can represent our community by doing that.” 

Morton’s whole family has always been involved with track and field. Her younger brother sophomore Beau competes on the Bulldogs boys track and field team, also throwing shot put and discus. Morton spoke on the competitive relationship between herself and Beau. 

“We kind of do our little competitive thing just to see who can throw the farthest each meet and he definitely drives me to throw better,” said Morton. “Sometimes in those smaller competitions there is not a lot of competition so it’s good to have someone that I can always go up against because as I’ve said before, I thrive off competition.” 

Morton also has two other younger brothers, Rocco and Jet, and a younger sister, Sylvie, who all also throw and they all practice together. Morton’s father, Brandon, has been her coach since she first started throwing in fourth grade. Morton gives her dad a ton of credit for her success in shot put and discus. 

“Having my dad be my coach, that means a lot to me because he can push me in a way not a lot of coaches can,” said Morton. “Like we can go out and throw whenever we want and we can go out and train whenever we want and it’s just me, my dad and my siblings so that’s a big thing.” 

While her dad is her main coach Morton also gives a lot of praise and credit to her teammates and her coaches at Hampton-Dumont-CAL for helping her along her journey. 

“They definitely are a great support system for me,” said Morton. “Just like I said, my dad is like my main throwing coach, but they definitely push me in ways my dad might not be able to.” 

Due to her success and hard work in shot put and discus, Morton will be attending Iowa State University beginning this fall on a track and field scholarship. Morton explained that while she considered other schools, like South Dakota and South Dakota State, she always knew that she wanted to be a Cyclone. 

“I am a Cyclone fan and have gone to their football games ever since I was little,” said Morton. “Before I like started getting really invested into track I kind of always had a feeling I wanted to go there. I love the atmosphere of the town, it’s not too big nor too small and I feel like there’s a really good community and they support their athletes very well.” 

During her time at HDCAL, Morton also starred in varsity basketball, softball and volleyball, but it his her dominance in track and field is what most everyone will remember about the future Iowa State Cyclone.