Veteran track coach Rob Tengwall will take a young and inexperienced group of athletes into this year’s season.
The team has just two seniors and six juniors.
“Twenty-seven of our 35 are either out for the first time or eighth or ninth graders,” Tengwall said.
“Last year we had a number of people we could count on. This year we are still getting going and finding out where we’re at … it’s been a terrible year as far as getting out and practicing,” Tengwall said referring to the weather conditions.
In the second year of the school’s new all-weather outdoor track, Tengwall noted that last year the team was able to get on it three to four weeks earlier. This year, they will practice on it for the first time this week.
Tengwall said he hopes to see improvement as the season progresses.
“We’re competing in a tough conference,” he said, noting that Becker, Waconia, Delano and St. Michael-Albertville are the WCC favorites.
He noted that Delano are STMA are two of the best teams in the state.
“We have a good group of girls, and we’re looking forward to seeing them make improvement. It’s tangible and it’s something you can measure.”
Tengwall added that while track is a lot of hard work, it also involves a lot of technique, especially in the field events but others as well.
“Everyone can experience the gratification of working hard and improving, no matter where you are in terms of ability,” he said.
Some of the girls who will lead the team this year include junior Gretchen Schmidt, a sprinter and a high jumper. Erin Regnier, also a junior, is the team’s top returning points scorer. She is a sprinter and a long jumper.
Molly Miller, a junior, will throw the shot and discus. Amber Ilstrup, a junior will compete at the hurdles. Amber Fischer, a junior will run middle distances. Rounding out the group of juniors is Sadie Lipinski, middle distance runner.
Senior Anna Roth will run the middle distances and she is joined by returning senior Laura Hill, a hurdler.
Sophomores include Rebecca Lashinski, a sprinter; and Sara Mol, alos a sprinter.
Ninth grader Lisa Toftely will do sprints, the high jump and perhaps other field events.
Eighth grader Megan Fliegel will run the 1600 and 3200.
At last week’s WCC indoor meet held in Becker, the Cards place sixth. Regnier placed second in the long jump with a 14’9” jump. Toftely placed third in the high jump with a jump of 4’10”.
The 4×800 meter relay team of freshmen Kristi Vinkemeier, Tami Barrett, Rachel Grambart and Natalie Naaktgeboren also placed.
Tengwall said the team is looking forward to the Annandale Invitational on Tuesday, April 17. The Cards will also host the WCC championship on May 17.
The Cards were planning on running at the Paynesville Invitational on Monday, April 9. That meet was moved to Atwater to accommodate the spring weather conditions.
“Track is actually a great spectator sport. There’s so many things going on at what once … plus, it’s the ultimate competition.”
Katie Zuehlke, who works primarily with the distance runners, is the girls assistant coach.
The coaches and the team are hungry for the weather to warm up and for the competition to begin.
Ultimately, they will be focused on end of the season improvements. “It’s not your record. It’s the end of the year that’s the ultimate competition.”
Quick Look
Girls track
Coach: Rob Tengwall
Roster: Seniors: Laura Hill, Anna Roth
Juniors: Gretchen Schmidt, Erin Regnier, Molly Miller, Sadie Lipinski, Amber Ilstrup, Amber Fisher
Sophomores: Sarah Strohschein, Sarah Mol, Rebecca Lashinski, Sara Johnson
Schedule:
Home meets listed in bold
April
Tuesday, April 3, 4 p.m., WCC Indoor Becker Thursday, April 5, 4 p.m., ACGC Invitational
Monday, April 9, 4:30 p.m., Paynesville Invitational Tuesday, April 17, 4:30 p.m, Annandale Invitational
Monday, April 23, 4 p.m., WCC Quad Friday, April 2, 4 p.m., Big Lake Invitational
Monday, April 30, 4 p.m., Wcc Quad STMA
May
Thursday, May 3, 4 p.m., Little Crow NLS
Tuesday, May 8, 3:30 p.m., True Team Shakopee Thursday, May 10, 4 p.m., Irish Relay Maple Lake Thursday, May 17, 1 p.m., WCC Championship Annandale Thursday, May 24, 1:30 p.m., District 20 ACGC Wednesday, May 30, TBA, Section 5A St. John’s