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RANDOLPH - Randolph track coaches, Eric Brown for the Cardinals and Jordyn Anderson for the Lady Cardinals, welcomed 11 boys and 16 girls to the first practice this spring.
The Cards will consist of Stewart Umberger, John Leija, Kamdin Worlein, Brecken Shearer, Jaylen Junck, Milo Rayford, Luke Harder, Kaden Thorell, Gavin Wortman, Gage Jensen and Ty Sievers.
Harder placed seventh in the high jump at last year’s Nebraska Track and Field Championships.
“Hopefully, he carries that momentum into this year,” Brown said.
The two head coaches will be assisted by Keri Severson, Tom Schafer and Jacey Bartels.
“Stewart Umberger and Gage Jensen will be our throwers,” Brown said. “They finished the year strong last season and are looking good so far this year.”
Rayford returns in the sprints for Randolph. “Milo finished last season on a huge note,” Brown said. “He came into this season determined to make state in whatever event he is in and has been getting better every day.”
The Lady Cardinals consist of Lily Kuchta, Brooke Meier, Braylee Kelley, Ella Graf, Abbey Backer, Delayne Thelen, Gracie Wortman, Bria Reimers, Alaina Schulz, Jenna Guenther, Sydney Robinson, Emily Gilliland, Emilee Olson, Maddie Aulner, Mabel Ngebeh and Karma Henry.
Backer will compete in the long jump and sprinting events for the Lady Cards.
“She is already setting personal records in those events,” Anderson said. “I expect her to keep improving as the season progresses.”
Gilliland had some success in cross country last fall and her coach expects that to improve as well.
“She will probably run the 800 and maybe some of the other distance races,” Anderson said. “She is feeling confident that her cross country experience will carry over into track.”
The teams will open the season in the Wayne State College Indoor Meet Friday then head north to the Mount Marty Indoor Invitational March 27 in Yankton.
April will take the Cardinals to five invitational beginning with Plainview on April 4, Battle Creek on April 8, Cedar Catholic in Hartington on April 15, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge on April 22 and Creighton on April 29.
The Norfolk Classic will run on May 1. Then, the Lewis & Clark Conference Meet will be May 3 at Winnebago.
The Randolph Invitational will take place on May 8 with the district meet set for May 14 in Humphrey hosted by Archangels Catholic with the Nebraska Track and Field Championships scheduled to open for Classes C and D on May 23 and will continue on May 24 in Omaha at Burke Stadium.
“Overall we have a lot of great athletes in all of the events,” said Brown. “This season is starting off much better than last season. For the most part, all of the kids have bought into what the coaches are telling them. We have almost everyone either hitting new personal records or starting where they left off last year so that is a very good sign.”
