Winner High School track team is gearing up for the first meet of the season.
Weather has not bee in their favor as snow, ice and rain have not made for ideal conditions for practice.
The first big meet in Winner will be the Bill Pistulka Invitational which will be held on Saturday, April 7.
Last year the boys team took fourth place at the state meet. Senior gone from that team are Kayleb Brozik, Drew DeMers, Luke Engel, John Kludt, Cameron Kuil, Izak Moleterno, Isaac Naasz, Jayden Schroeder, Krockett Krolikowski.
Returning lettermen this year are: Kade Watson, Riley Calhoon, Brady Fritz, Joren Bruun, Colton Schroeder and Levi McClanahan.
The numbers are low on the boys side this year. However, there are returners who have state meet experience. Riley Calhoon is one of two seniors on the team and the other senior is Levi McClanahan. Calhoon was on relays at state and helped the 4×100 and 4×200 place at state a year ago in Sioux Falls.
“We look for Riley to run the relays and get him in some open events,” said coach Larry Aaker.
Fritz competed in the triple jump and long jump at state and was on the 4×100 team and an alternate on the 4×200.
McClanahan is a strong thrower in the shot put and discus and will be the leader in the weight department.
Nolan Sachtjen will return as a sprinter as he was out last season with a knee injury. Shea Connot is out for track this season and will throw the shot put and discus
Bruun ran on the relays at state and Watson qualified for the two mile last year.
Leading the Winner Lady Warriors team are several letterwinners including Elisabeth Duffy, Meagan Blare, Tedra Vrbka, Skyler Hansen, Alexis Richey, Sidda Schuyler, Ellie Brozik, Madison Thieman, Charlotte Shopene, Katherine Jankauskas, Saige Schuyler, Morgan Hmmerbeck, Jaynee Gregg, Kelsey Sachtjen and Aryn Meiners.
Lost from graduation are Chloe Bartels, Sam Schuyler and Kyran Meek.
The Lady Warriors have several returners who have experience at the state meet. Senior Duffy will be the leader in the hurdles as last she ran both the 100 and 300 at state.
Richey was in a couple of events and ran on some relays.
Brozik qualified in the 100 and ran relays. Saige Schuyler ran the 800 and 4×800 with Sidda Schuyler running the mile and two mile and placing in the two mile. Sidda was also on relays.
Morgan Hammerbeck was in field events with Hansen running hurdles and a couple of relays. Shopene and Sachtjen competed in relays.
Blare will run middle distance with Gregg throwing the shot put and discus and Meiners running distance races.
The assistant coaches are: Glenn Carlson, Jaime Keiser, Brett Gardner, Lindsey Foster, Robin Curtis and Jayd Schuyler.
The 2018 WHS track schedule includes:
April 5—Todd County Invitational
April 7—Bill Pistulka meet in Winner
April 10—Miller Quad
April 14—Corn Palace Relays in Mitchell
April 14—Rescheduled Gregory meet
April 17—Big Dakota Conference in Chamberlain
April 20—American Legion Relays in Pierre
April 26—Cecil Johnson Invitational in Presho
May 1—Meet of Legends in Burke
May 4-5—Howard Wood in Sioux Falls
May 8—SESD Conference in Wagner
May 17—Regional in Mission
May 25—State in Spearfish
May 26—State in Rapid City
Loading ...