Trish Reimer-Kealy is entering her 12th years as head coach of the girls track and field team and she’s not slowing down.
“Every year is a new adventure,” she says. “Each team is a revelation — the energy and enthusiasm of these kids is infectious and the personality of the team this year is very fun.”
Reimer-Kealy has a new coach for the throwing part of the team in Daniel Rooney, who takes over for Josh Ihrke. She also has a new junior high coach for girls in Reyan Robinson, who is taking the place of Corinne Steele, who moved to Nebraska.
“Our numbers are up from last to 36 members this year,” Reimer-Kealy said. “The junior high numbers are up as well.”
The team’s goal each and every year is to first shoot for the Granite Ridge Conference title, then dash for a state title in June. Reimer-Kealy’s squad is youthful and much of their success will come from the maturation of some of her youngest athletes.
“It is hard to tell at this point how we will end up in the conference,” she said. “We have a lot of new ninth graders we will be looking at to fill in some holes left by the talented group of seniors we lost to graduation last year.”
Reimer-Kealy says she has several solid athletes who perform at very competitive levels.
“We should be solid in the distance races and have some nice sprinters and throwers — but will be working on some of the jumps and the vault to gain points,” she says. “We would love to be in the fight for a third conference championship in a row but we need to see where the other teams have gained ground as well.”
“Weather is always a concern in spring sports, but we are fortunate with our facility and all of our sports work to share space as much as possible,” she says.
Reimer-Kealy’s captains this year are Miranda O'Brien, Kayden Westin, Madi Kerzman and Alli Hendrickson. She marvels at how well the group gets along well with each other with such a wide range of ages and skills. The team’s other seniors are McKenna Edling and Lauren Gizzi, who are in their second year of track and field and have helped to solidify the team’s throws group.
“We also have two exchange students this year, senior Alicia Slosarek and Zoe Leiwen,” said the head coach. “They are a fun addition to our group.”
Reimer-Kealy’s team unites with Paul Schmidt’s boys team and support each other as if they were a co-ed squad.
“I need to give a shout out to our combined coaching staff,” she said. “Schmidt works with the sprinters and high jumpers, Weege works with the pole vault and horizontal jumpers, Rooney works with throws and I work with hurdlers and distance (on both teams).”
She points out that she and Schmidt work together on the relays.
“I enjoy working with these coaches and appreciate their efforts,” she said. “We should have a fun season.”
Schedule:
• 4/3 - at Foley 3:30 p.m.;
• 4/9 - at Milaca, 4 p.m.;
• 4/19 - home vs. Albany & Cathedral, 4 p.m.;
• 4/24 - at Mora 4 p.m.;
• 4/27 - at Pierz, 4:15 p.m.;
• 5/3 - at Pillager, 4 p.m.;
• 5/8 - at Milaca (True Team), 3 p.m.
• 5/15 - home vs. five GRC teams, 3:30 p.m.;
• 5/22 - at Zimmerman 4 p.m.;
• 5/30-6/2 - Section 8AA Tournament, TBD;
• 6/8-9 - State Tournament at Hamline University, TBD;
