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HARTINGTON — Hartington- Newcastle’s track coaches welcomed five athletes who competed at the 2024 Nebraska State Track and Field Championships at Burke Stadium in Omaha last spring.
Wildcat coach, Dylan Behnk, has three returning qualifiers while Lady Wildcat coach, Mandy Hochstein welcomed two.
In addition, Behnk returns 13 letter winners and Hochstein has 10.
Behnk’s returners include seniors, Cole Heimes and Cole Rosener along with sophomore, Will Feilmeier who all competed in Omaha last season.
“We were a fairly young team last year, so I’m anxious to see the growth and progress each of our team members has made ahead of this upcoming season,” said Behnk. “The boys are excited about the season and excited for the opportunity to compete. I look forward to seeing what this season will bring.”
In addition to the three state qualifiers, the Wildcats also return junior letter men Brayden Lammers, Mason Krause, Dane Gotch and Isaac Santiago. Sophomore letter winners returning include Gabe Reyes, Jason Heimes, Lincoln Grutsch, Ty Opfer, Maximus McCray, and Aidan Anderson. Four freshmen and seven upperclassmen will also help to complete some depth for Hartington- Newcastle.
Hazel Hochstein and Jade Ford are the returning Lady Wildcats with experience from Burke Stadium. Hochstein competed in the pole vault and Ford qualified in the triple jump.
“We have a great group of girls this year,” said Hochstein, the coach. “They are positive and have strong work ethics. We are excited about our new conference and look to see some success this season.”
Both teams will be competing in the Greater Northeast Activities Conference for the first time.
The Lady ‘Cats’ returners include seniors, Abi Rice, Maddie Steffen, Ell Haug, McKenzie Bruning and Carmen Buschkamp.
Junior Kora Kneifl and sophomores, Karissa Bruning and Emily Climer also return.
Four freshmen are set for their first varsity season; Vayda Lippert, Kloe Fischer, Ella Eickhoff and Jaden Opfer joined the team this spring.
The teams will open the 2025 campaign on their home track but in the Cedar Catholic Invitational on April 1 before hosting their own invite April 8.
They will remain in Hartington for another invitational sponsored by their neighbors across the street on April 15 then head to Pierce for the Tom Martin Invitational.
A trip to Summerland will close out the month on the 29th with the GNAC Conference Meet set for May 3 in Atkinson at West Holt.
The Norfolk Classic will run on May 6 with the Norfolk Catholic Invitational on May 8 to close out the regular season slate.
Districts will run on May 14 with the Nebraska State Track and Field Championships planned for May 23.
