Coming in with a blend of youth and experience, Aberdeen Christian hopes to find the combination for a successful track and field season.
Aberdeen Christian's girls' team consists of three juniors, two freshman and two seventh-graders. New to the team this year are junior Abby Fisk and seventh-grader Ellene LaCroix. Also competing will be Andrea Adams and Tabitha Schrenk, both juniors; Hanna Lopes and Amanda Williams, freshman, and seventh-grader Kiana Lundeen.
Christian field event coach Melodi Boke said that the Knights should have a solid group of throwers this season.
"Our throwers are looking really good," Boke said. "A couple have already hit PR (personal record) marks."
Christian competed in the Al Sahli Invitational on Friday, and while the results of that meet won't count toward state qualifying times or distances, Boke was happy for the team to get some work in.
"The marks don't count, but it gives us a place where we can see what we need to work on," Boke said.
One area that Boke said will need attention this season is jumps.
"Our jumpers will have to (improve)," Boke said. "We are trying to coordinate how to teach the kids to jump properly."
Boke said there is a chance the team could add a few members as the season goes on.
"Hopefully, (the team) will grow. We have a couple of kids who are still debating, and trying out at practice," Boke said.
The group is working hard and is eager to get on the track to show what it can do.
"From what we can see, they are in good shape, willing to work hard and compete," Boke said. "We just have to see what the season brings."
Track events coach Matt Scott said numbers for this year are looking better than last year.
"Numbers on the boys' side are up again this season," Scott said.
The Knights' roster lists 14 boys', including two seniors, Noah Aderhold and Job Niewenhuis. State qualifiers returning are sophomore Tucker Iwerks in the 1,600-meter run, and junior Seth Lundeen in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.
The roster also includes Isaac Ayers, Sammy Gomez, Josh Holsing, Tanner Iwerks and Matt Rohrbach, all juniors; sophomore Tanner Droog, freshmen Daniel Ayers, Carson Beaner and Cole Lundeen, and eighth-grader Ben Williams.
"I look for each to contribute significantly in their particular event areas, be it jumps, sprints, throws, or distance running," Scott said.
The distance running and sprints should be where the Knights should excel, according to Scott.
"Our strengths will be in the distance and sprint events, with the jumps and throws being a growing area, but a big part of the team none the less," Scott said.
Improvement can be made in all events, Scott said, and pointed to the relays as one place to begin.
"All areas can be worked on and improved, but relays will be an area we will give more emphasis this year," Scott said.
For Scott and the Knights, the season brings hopes of not only finding success on the track, but being able to compete in warmer weather as well.
"I look forward to the upcoming season because it means an absence of snow," Scott said. "I also look forward to it because it is a rewarding experience to work with each and every one of these kids to assist them in making their goals a reality."
2013 Schedule|
April - 2, at Eureka Invitational, 2:30 p.m.; 9, at Sunshine Bible Invitational, 9:30 a.m.; 18, at Redfield Relays, 10 a.m.; 23, at Groton Kiwanis, noon; 27, at Ipswich Tiger Relays, 10 a.m.; 30, at Ipswich Invitational, 2:30 p.m.;
May - 4, at Ipswich Invitational, 10 a.m.; 7, at Eureka Invitational, 11 a.m.; 16, at Groton Invitational, 10 a.m.