Basketball may be done for the year, but track is in the offing! With an indoor meet at Stout March 25, and an elite invite at Stout April 1, we caught up with Stanley-Boyd track coach Bob Seidl for an preview on the upcoming season. This is what he had to say.

“We have about 25 boys and 17 girls out for track,” Seidl share of the program at Stanley- Boyd. “A number of kids have not committed this year and our numbers overall will be down. I attribute that to COVID for the past two years and we have a lot of kids who are inexperienced and have not really had a normal track season. The previous year’s success usually motivates the athletes and we just haven’t had normal track seasons the past two years. The freshmen girls and boys look to contribute a lot this year as they gain experience.”

As to standout athletes for the upcoming season, Seidl had a few names to watch as things get underway this spring.

“Senior Cooper Nichols is the boys track standout this year,” Seidl shared. “He is returning from an appearance at state last year in the 400. He is really motivated this year and is the most dedicated athlete on the team. He will be strong in the sprints and pole vault.”

“Senior Maralyn Boettcher is the girls standout this year. She ran well last year as a 200 and 400 sprinter. She is planning on running track at College next year and is working to be a top sprinter in the conference. She also is a top long jumper,” the Coach said. Nichols and Boettcher weren’t the only standout athletes to watch though.

“Teagen Becker is coming off of an injury last year and hopes to return as the top High jumper in the conference. She placed 2nd at regionals last year but suffered an injury in the hurdles. She has made a full recovery and is jumping well already. She is one to watch,” Seidl said. “Junior Janelle Schesel has been a solid mid distance runner for our team and looks to return at or near the top of the conference this year in the 400. She is also a solid pole vaulter. “

Regarding things to come Coach Seidl had a few things to look forward to for Oriole track fans in the coming weeks and months ahead.

"Our team's first meet will be an in door meet this Friday, March 25th at U.W. Stout,” Seidl shared. “This is on a 200 meter track. Our team is really green but I suspect a number of teams in the conference are in the same position.” With the season roughly three months long, Seidl shared the following dates:

• A Conference meet on the 17th of May at Stanley.

• A Regional on Monday, May 23rd at Baldwin- Woodville.

• The Sectional meet on Thursday, May 26th at Rice Lake.

• The State Meet on Friday June 3rd. “Fall Creek is expected to make a strong showing for the Conference meet again this year with a lot of returning Seniors staying committed,” Seidl said. “Our goal as a team is to challenge them for the boys and girls titles with a lot of younger athletes.” But while the athletes mentioned are the ones with the best chances of making state per Seidl, the future, could hold some surprises.

“The athletes mentioned above have the best chance of appearing at state, but a few younger athletes might surprise us,” the Coach shared.

Practiced in ancient Greece, the sport of shotput is just one of the many coming soon to the area with this year’s track season. Above, a touchdown at Cadott last year pushes sand out.

Photo by Joseph Back.