Look for that solid tradition of top-notch athleticism to continue this year.

 

Head Coach Paul Schmidt has 35 guys on his team this year, including just four seniors. He has some of the younger athletes trying out for the sport for the first time and some experienced runners — like cross country star Luke Lahr — going out for the team for the first time as a junior.

 

“Last year we were fifth or sixth in the conference and I expect we’ll be somewhere in the middle of the pack again this year,” says Schmidt. “Little Falls always has a great squad and I’m expecting they’ll be at the top again this year.”

 

So far, Schmidt has seen some solid improvement from tracksters this year including Luke Schmitz who won Tuesday’s pole vault and recorded an impressive 18’9” long jump. Schmidt likes what he sees in Kevin Andres (a seventhgrader) in sprint and sees seniors Kreston Gammon and Mason Olson having special years in shot put and discus.

 

Another asset to the team is senior Austin Soare, who has had to sit out the last two track seasons because of nagging hamstring issues. Soare, one of the football team’s brightest stars, has had a hard time keeping his hamstring from flaring up when he’s run the sprints for Coach Schmidt. Tuesday, Schmidt dialed Soare back a bit and had him run the third level of sprints so he wouldnt over-extend himself — and it was a success!

 

“He’s such a strong athlete and a great competitor, I just wanted him to take it easy the first time out and he did well,” said Schmidt.

 

Soare is looking to finish off his senior year with a strong showing in track and field.

 

“I want to get as many points as I can, concentrate on doing good handoffs and continue to work hard,” he said.

 

Mason Olson, who is competing on track and the lacrosse teams, has his eye on a high finish as he prepares for the shot put and discus competitions.

“”My goal is to place in the top three in throwing this year,” he said.

 

Luke Schmitz, who along with Olson, Soare and Gammon will be key parts to the success of the track team, has lofty goals too.

 

“I, too, want to score as many points as I can this year and do well in relay, pole vault and long jump,” he said.

 

Gammon wants to “get a high spot in the conference and place at sections.”

 

Soare, Gammon, Olson and Schmitz know the importance of having good senior leadership on a team and they all hope they can display good examples for this year’s youthful squad.

 

“It’s important for me to be a good role model for the guys and to model our success,” said Soare. “I’d like to see the kids get warmed up, show consistency and show up for all practices and meets.”

 

“It’s my role to help them in any way I can, “said Olson. “I want to be like an extra coach for them and be a part of building a quality team.”

 

“I try and bring a good attitude to the team and prove my worth as well as display my potential,” said Schmitz.

 

“I bring a positive attitude every day and I’d like to help guide our young throwers and runners,” said Gammon.

 

 

Becker held an indoor track meet with four schools in which Zimmerman hosted.

 

Soare took third in the 55 meters with a time of 6.77. Mathew Davalos and Jaylin Hildebrandt finished fifth and sixth in the 200 meters with times of 26.33 and 26.53. Andrew Davolos won the 400 meters with a time of 57.59. Jonathan Novak was sixth in the 800 with a time of 2.27.95 and Luke Lahr was second in the 1600 with a time of 5:00.2.

 

Becker’s 4x100 meter relay team, comprised of Gabe Dertinger, Bhavin Bhakta, Luke Schmitz, and Conner Huebner took second with a 48.69 time.

 

The 4x200 meter relay team was also second with a time of 1:45.09.  Team members were Andrew and Mathew Davolos, Conner Huebner and Kevin Andres.

 

The 4x400 meter team of Andrew Davolos, Adam Bauman, Kevin Andres and Mathew Davolos finished second with a time of 3:59.4.

 

Gammon finished second with a shot put of 45' 5.5" and Mason Olson finished third with a toss of 42'6".  Both were personal bests.

 

Schmitz had a great meet finishing as the team’s leading scorer.  Besides the 4x100 relay, Luke won the pole vault with a jump of 8' 6" and had a personal best in the long jump at 18'-8.5" which was good for third place.

 

Andrew Davolos also placed fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 36'-3.75"

 

Becker’s team score of 56.5 points placed them fourth.

 

“I was happy with many of our performances and it was great to get the kids into many events and see what they could do,” said Head Coach Paul Schmidt.

 

“We hadn't run a meet for three weeks due to spring break and the weather, so it was fun to have some competition.  We have so many young track and field athletes that it is exciting to see them doing well.”

 

Next week, Becker competes in two meets starting with a meet Tuesday in Little Falls and one on Thursday in Pillager.