Eleven years as the girls track and field coach and Trish Reimer-Kealy is still loving her job.

 

“I still enjoy this coaching thing and the kids are always great,” said Reimer-Kealy. “It’s hard not to get excited for a new season when you see the enthusiasm in the kids’ faces.”

 

In January, Reimer-Kealy and boys track coach Paul Schmidt attended the annual track coaches clinic and they both agreed that clinic is what gets them pumped up for the upcoming season.

 

“When you get around other coaches and everyone’s talking about their teams and their kids and programs — it’s a boost to get the season underway,” she said.

 

Reimer-Kealy will have 34 girls on her squad — with possibly a few more, depending on whether a couple kids “who are on the bubble” decide to give it a try.

 

“Every year is different but this year I think we are pretty close to the same amount of kids we had come out last year,” she said. “I’m really pleased.”

 

The coach has numerous returning athletes who have already been projected to participate at certain events, but Reimer-Kealy is also going to be tasked to find a spot somewhere for senior Alex Johnson, a first-year participant in track.

 

“She is a natural athlete so we will put her in a few places during time trials and see where she fits,” Reimer-Kealy said. “It’s a welcome situation and we are happy to have her competing.”

 

Johnson — just coming off a very successful state tournament run in girls basketball, decided to take on track and field to be around friends.

 

“I don’t really know what I will be good at but I guess we’ll just give it a try and see where it takes me,” said Johnson. “I’ll probably start off in sprints and maybe do some jumping events, too.”

 

Last year, Reimer-Kealy had two girls make state in Hannah Schmidt (high jump) and Sam Angell (hurdles) and she hopes both make a return trip — maybe with a few others.

 

“There’s no reason a few other girls can’t step up and join them by doing their absolute best in sections,” said the head coach.

 

Reimer-Kealy has nine seniors on this year’s squad including Schmidt, Johnson and Angell. The others are Morgan Youngdahl, Kailey Cleaver, Emily Cox, Siera Knick, Ashley Roisland and Shannon Sydow.

 

Youngdahl could be a threat in sections in the long jump and possibly the high jump. 

 

“I’m going to do everything I can this year to make every effort my best,” she said.

 

Cleaver had a personal record 8’6” pole vault last year and her goal is to break that record and make state.

 

“I’m confident I can make or beat that mark,” she said.

 

Angell has such long legs and long strides, she almost doesn’t look like her feet touch the ground between hurdles.

 

“I want to do better than last year so I’m working very hard on making my form that much tighter,” she said.

 

Knick is one of the team’s best long distance runners along with Sydow. They have been friends for many years and also are part of Reimer-Kealy’s cross country teams.

 

“I’m mostly pretty good at distances like the 4x800,” said Knick.

 

“I’m a sprinter,” said Sydow. “Mostly in the 100s and 200s. I’m hoping to break some personal records this year.”

 

Schmidt is still nursing her high ankle sprain she suffered during the gymnastics season and was only recently approved to start running. She won’t be cleared to do any jumping for a few weeks, so the team will be without her services in that aspect for much of April.

 

The team consists of Payton Anderson, Samantha Angell,  Julia Bengtson, Jazmine Boeshans, Reana Cavegn, Caylah Chonsky, Kailey Cleaver, Emily Cox, Lexi Dehmer, Callie Doucette, Alli Garding, Alli Hendrickson, Gabrielle Imm, Kaitlyn Janisch, Alex Johnson, Madison Kerzman, Siera Knick, Victoria Kolbinger, Karly Kowalsky, Deedra Lawrence, Lexi Michels, Miranda O'Brien, Nikki O'Brien, Ashley Roisland, Jada Rositas, Jessica Sand, Hannah Schmidt, Summer Somrock, Tate Spinner, Allyna Storms, Shannon Sydow, Bailee Thorson, Kayden Westin and Morgan Youngdahl.

 

Reimer-Kealy is assisted by Dustin Weege, Josh Ihrke, Paul Schmidt and student manager is Abby Fingarson.

 

The team’s first meet is today (Saturday) at Foley for a Granite Ridge Conference matchup. Their first home meet is April 26 against Mora, Cathedral and Zimmerman.