Entering his 13th year at the helm of the boys track & field team, Paul Schmidt likens his job to being a farmer — planting his young athletes and watching them grow as the season progresses.
“I love the track and field season,” Schmidt says. “Working with these athletes and seeing the improvements throughout the year are still so fun to watch. I say this all the time but we have a great group of guys to work with.”
Schmidt has about 40 boys on the varsity team this year. The numbers appear to be down a few from last year, but Schmidt attributes that to a large graduating class last season.
“I am happy with those numbers and we should be able to fill all events and relays nicely,” he said.
Jordan Gruenes, Jack Belde, Sam Ricker, and Kevin Andres are Schmidt’s captains this year. They are all seniors and their roles are to be junior farmers to Schmidt — setting good examples and competing with dignity and selflessness.
Schmidt’s coaching staff remains close to the same as years past with Dayna Heimerl being a volunteer assistant to both the boys and girls track teams.
“She is a former high jumper and sprinter for the Bulldogs and will work with those events,” said Schmidt. “We are getting new uniforms this year so the Bulldogs track teams will have a new look.”
Despite the heavy loss of quality athletes due to graduation last year, Schmidt has a optimistic approach to 2019 — especially after competing indoors in recent weeks.
“We bring back some very talented athletes from last year,” said Schmidt. “A good indication of how our year might go is that we repeated for the third year in a row as the indoor conference champions of the Granite Ridge Conference. (See separate article in this week’s Citizen-Tribune).
Schmidt also has some returning athletes with state tournament experience and they have a great opportunity to get back there again this year.
David Myers is looking strong again in the hurdles and Kevin Andres has run well in the 400M and 200M so far this season. Jordan Gruenes also has state tournament experience in the relays. Sam Ricker and Basil Ricker have also looked strong at the beginning of the year in the distance races.
Coaching youngsters when they succeed is typically easier than when they fail. Schmidt does his best to keep things positive and remind the teens that the season can be long and it will always have its ups-and-downs.
“Athletes always want to perform well right away but need to realize that they are not necessarily in peak performance just yet.” he says. “Sometimes the gains are small and I just try to stay really positive with the athletes.”
Schmidt also appreciates the roles the parents and family of the athletes take in ensuring the student/athletes are eating healthy and keeping their grades up. Schmidt also appreciates the continual fan support at home and away meets.
“We have a nice mix of athletes in grades 9-12, he said. “Parents are great supporters of our athletes and travel well to our events.”
The team consists of: Austin Boekley, Basil Ricker, Brayden Weber, Bryce Kuschel, Cade Stommes, Caden Dewall, Connor Eickhoff, Connor Lucas, Dailen Adu-Gyamfi, David Myres, Devin Riley, Dylan Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Grant Riedel, Jack Belde, Jacob Nelson, Jordan Gruenes, Joshua Robertson, Kabir Bhakta, Kellen Hur, Kevin Andres, Kyle Millard, Landen Goebel, Levi Tesmer, Liam Jenkins, Lukas Karel, Michael Schmitz, Noah Fakhreddine, Noah Friedman, Parker Lahr, Sam Ricker, Teddy Halvorson, Tommy Halvorson, Trent Nistler, Tyler Matvick and Tyson Ricker.
