The Northland Pines boys and girls track teams are reloading on talent that they lost a season ago when the teams finished first and second respectively inside the Great Northern Conference standings.
Both teams headed in different directions to start the year as the girls team lost more bodies than the boys did. Both sides are still in a position to compete once again at the top of the GNC.
Pines head coach Josh Rhode said the girls team returns some talented athletes and brings in new faces that can spring the team to the conference championship.
“The girls team lost some truly once-in-a-decade type athletes in Nora Gremban, Kirkland Williams, Taylor Franzen, Carly Huelskamp, and others. We have a great group of girls returning and we added some new faces that we are excited to see compete,” he said. “We have a bunch of fast, talented girls ready to prove themselves this season and I think they will surprise a few teams.”
So far, Rhode says that both teams have some speed, which bodes well in the sprinting events and can carry over to field events, as most sprinters on the team also compete in one of those events.
“I would say that both squads have their strengths in the sprinting department, which is a good thing because most of the field events are speed events,” Rhode explained. “Our sprinters are also good pole vaulters, long jumpers, high jumpers, and triple jumpers.”
Some returning athletes for the girls have a good shot at advancing toward state and potentially making an appearance in La Crosse.
“On the girls side, I would say Avery Renkes, Ava Carrillo, Ella Hahn, and Tatum Meier are standing out as potential tournament series advancers,” Rhode explained.
In terms of conference stance, the Eagles will have tight competition with Tomahawk and Lakeland, who are expected to be good this spring.
“The Tomahawk girls team is really strong again, and I expect them and Lakeland to be near the top of the GNC this year,” Rhode said.
The boys work to replace some athletes as well, including Zach Ritter, Kyan Lins and Tyler Block. Those departures can be filled in with returners like Eli Kerner, Cole Wiedenbeck, Jacob Beer and Josh Graves, plus more.
“Eli Kerner will be looking to get back to state (sprinter), along with Cole Wiedenbeck, Jacob Beer, and Josh Graves,” said Rhode about returning athletes who will replace departing seniors from last year. “Mason Minaudo, Morgan DePuydt, and Kaemyn Heritage are all looking like they will be among the best in the GNC and beyond in the pole vault. The boys didn’t lose nearly as much as the girls team, but we do need to reload. We have a lot of new faces on the boys side, and they have been putting in a ton of work over the off-season to attempt to win the GNC again.”
Both teams will rely on upperclassmen to help the newer athletes and help push toward conference titles, according to the coaching staff. The teams learned they could be at or near the top of the conference, so the confidence is still there.
“They learned that they can be at the top of the conference and they should feel confident they can do it again,” stated Rhode. “Last year was the best finish we have ever had for either team in the GNC and we hope to stay at or near the top.”
The coaching staff also mentioned that an annual goal for both teams is always to place third or better in the conference, along with advancing as many athletes in regional, sectional and state competitions. Rhode says the teams make adjustments throughout the year based on where each team sits to assist in reaching the goals.
Pines will host its first indoor meet of the season this Thursday, March 20, at Northland Pines at 4:30 p.m.
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