By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader file photo Clintonville’s Allysin Booth, middle, jumps over a hurdle during the 100 hurdles at the state meet last year. Booth, a senior, will serve as a team leader for the Truckers this spring.
Despite having a limited amount of returning athletes, the Clintonville High School track and field team still has plenty of talent at its disposal as it enters the spring season.
Leading the way is senior Allysin Booth, a three-time state-qualifier.
Booth made it to state in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump last year, placing third and ninth, respectively.
The experienced athlete has big goals again this spring, but also wants to be sure to enjoy the experience.
“Goals I have set are to just have a fun season, and help the underclassmen get to that level as well,” Booth said. “Obviously I’m still going to try hard and work to make it to state again for one last round, but I want to enjoy the memories I make with my team this year as a senior.”
Booth is the only senior of the Truckers’ three returning sectional qualifiers — who will be under the direction of coach Mike Diamond. Lizzy Weatherwax is a junior, while Selina Torrez is just a sophomore.
Weatherwax qualified for sectionals in the 400 last year — she will also run the 800 for the Truckers. Torrez made sectionals in the shot put. She will also compete in the discus this season.
Sophomore Aeriell Mohr (shot put, discus), and juniors Emma Zwirschitz (hurdles) and Jenny Peeters (shot put, discus) also are experienced athletes some of the team’s underclassmen can lean on for guidance.
On the boys side, the team returns five experienced juniors.
Joey Shelton will take part in the pole vault, 1,600 and 3,200, while Isaac Pyatskowit joins him in the mile and 2-mile.
Caden Gehrke and Daniel Rohrer will each run the 400, while Rohrer and Ben Papendorf compete in the shot put. Gehrke will also be on the team’s 4x400 relay, while Papendorf is in discus.
Coach Diamond also sees a pair of sophomores making big impacts this season. Austin Tosdale will run the 800 and 1,600, while Trent Laack competes in shot put and discus.
“Our new athletes, both older and younger, represent immense talent that can come in and compete immediately at all levels and events,” coach Diamond said. “They also have shown right away that they can serve as leaders as well. Combined with our veteran returners, I firmly believe that Clintonville track can compete with the best of the best in this conference (North Eastern).
The Truckers will compete in the Division 2 Oconto Falls Regional (May 20), with qualifiers advancing to the Freedom Sectional (May 23).
Wolf River Lutheran
While rostering many fewer athletes, like Clintonville, Wolf River Lutheran returns plenty of talent.
Senior Elizabeth Schmidt (100 hurdles) and sophomore Madison Roberts (400) were sectional qualifiers last year for WRL.
Senior Dan Schmidt also returns. He was a regional champion two years ago in the discus.
Along with those three individuals, WRL coach Stephen Lehrke also sees senior Mitch Behnke (distance) having a big spring on the track.
“Being a small school, numbers continue to be our biggest team challenge,” coach Lehrke said. “However, we’ve consistently done well with certain individual events, and with a returning core group that previously advanced to sectionals, we’re hoping to have a good showing in the postseason. As a team we’ll continue to work hard together as we develop our younger athletes and grow together.”
Marion
A year after failing to advance any athletes to sectionals, Marion is hoping a senior-dominated roster can flip the script.
Senior Elizabeth Radtke was the Mustangs’ top finisher at sectionals last year, placing eighth in the 400. Senior Justin Wuske came in ninth in the 800.
According to coach John Krueger, Marion’s 17-athlete roster will include nine seniors and six sophomores. Only one freshman and one junior are on the roster at the moment.
Wolf River Lutheran and Marion will both compete in the Division 3 Hilbert Regional (May 20), with qualifiers advancing to the Marathon Sectional (May 23).
The 2019 State Track & Field Championships will be held May 31 and June 1 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in La Crosse.