Several new faces greeted Head Coach Paul Schmidt on the first day of practice this year, as he returns for his 16th year in charge of the Becker boys track program. A year ago, it was a matter of quality over quantity for the team, which was down on numbers but had several top performers.

With the increase in number of athletes, Schmidt thinks this year’s squad can compete with the teams in the upper half of the conference.

“Having nearly 30 Varsity athletes this year should allow for us to be more competitive in all events,” Schmidt says. “We have some high expectations for some of our athletes that finished last year with really good performances.”

The Bulldogs will feature a number of returning letter winners, including Carter Leither (12), Tyson Ricker (11), Mason Becker (11), Caleb Reckelberg (11), Owen Angell (9), and Carter Reckelberg (9).  The first four of those returners will serve as Captains for this year’s team.

“Tyson Ricker made it to State in the 1600 which was a highlight last year,” Schmidt says. “Owen Angell had a great year in the 300 hurdles and Pole Vault. Carter Reckelberg had personal bests in the triple jump and long jump last year.”

The Bulldogs will rely on that experience as the rest of the team figures out their best events.  

“Our goal is always to see individual improvement and be able to compete as a team as well,” Schmidt adds.

New for the MSHSL track season this year is a three class format, meaning Becker will no longer compete in the post-season as part of the largest class in the state, with the likes of Moorhead and other top enrollment schools.

“It should help, as we are competing now with teams that are comparable in size to Becker,” Schmidt says. “Also our new section is comprised of teams that are close to us – in the past we had to travel to places like Moorhead, Detroit Lakes and Thief River Falls for our section meets. Now, our section runs from Big Lake to Rocori.”

This year’s coaching staff will look familiar, as Schmidt and head girls coach Trish Kealy will use the same philosophy as in the past when it come to providing instruction.

Schmidt will work with high jumpers, sprinters and the sprint relays, while Kealy takes on the distance runners and hurdlers.  Dustin Weege returns to work with pole vaulters, disc and shot throwers, while Tony Miller coaches the triple jumpers, long jumpers and sprints.

“We work together to coach both girls and boys athletes in those events,” Schmidt says.

In terms of his predictions for the year, Schmidt does see the potential for some of his performers to set their sights on a few school records over the coming years.

“It’s hard to predict records that could possibly be broken, but the potential is there,” Schmidt says. “Tyson Ricker has the possibility of the 1600 and 3200 records and two years to go for them. Owen Angell has the potential for the pole vault record and four years to chase that, Carter Reckelberg someday could challenge the triple and long jump records, but all of these are future possibilities.”

In the meantime, Schmidt has his squad focusing on the practice necessary for individual improvement.

“We want to be able to compete as a team and be in the top three each meet,” Schmidt says. “We look for individual and team improvement throughout the year.”

In addition to the boost in numbers of athletes, Schmidt says the team is also happy to be competing in what feels like a more normal atmosphere after the past two years.

“I’m glad that we are starting our season normal this year,” Schmidt says.  “Last year we were uncertain of how everything was going to play out amidst COVID. This season feels like things are more normal.”