The West Central Trojan track teams enjoyed great success. The girls team took home the 2021 state title and the boys team finished ninth as a team. Both teams will be returning many key athletes from those squads.
The girls team will be returning last year’s 4x200m state runner-up relay team, returning three of the four members of the state champion 4x100m relay team, long jump runner up, and fourth place finisher in long jump from last year. The team will look to seniors Keighlor Nolz, Missy Anderson, Lily Sidel, Peyton Meadors, and, Rylee Haldemann and juniors Cambell Fischer, Emma Goehring, Molli Thornton, and Tessa VanOverbeke.
“Every coach knows coming back after winning a state title is both fun and challenging. We now have a target on our back and everyone knows these girls’ names and what to expect from them. However, we also know we have a lot to prove with the graduation of our seniors. I believe we have a team that is capable of defending their state title if we stay focused and are healthy come May. More than anything, I am just excited to see all of these ladies out there competing and having fun again. I love spending my afternoons and evenings helping these girls progress from the start of their season, to the end. These athletes become my second family and I truly just want them to enjoy our time together and competing knowing they are growing their confidence and becoming better people…and if all of that translates into winning events or meets, that’s an added bonus and makes our moments and memories even better!” said head coach Janel Merkwan.
The boys team had six place winners at last year’s state meet. This year the team will be led by seniors Tommy Berg, Gunnar Cuka, and Brayden Diericks; juniors Mason Berens and Justin Zirpel; and sophomores Layton Johnson, Jude Jarding, and Ben Strunk
“We have 48 male athletes out for Boys Track. Many of them are returning from last year. We expect to compete highly at every meet this year. Our goal is to reach the podium at the state track meet in Sioux Falls,” said head coach Brian Voss.
The Trojans will host the West Central Early Bird meet on Tuesday, April 5th.