Eagles look to improve with eye on sub sections

Contributed photo
Katherin Garcia is one of four seniors on this year’s New York Mills track team.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

After a slight delay to the start of their track season, the New York Mills track and field team will look to take advantage of some unseasonably warm temperatures predicted for later this week.

The track team was scheduled to begin their season on Tuesday afternoon in Battle Lake and are also scheduled to compete at a meet in Pillager on Thursday and Concordia College on Friday as part of a busy kick off to the season. 

The Eagles will be led by four seniors this season including Katherin Garcia in the sprints, Alexis Rudolph in the throwing events and sprints, Morgyn O’Dea in the mid-distance runs and Jeron Witt in the distance runs on the boys side. 

“We are looking for our four seniors, who are our captains, to lead us in practice and in our track meets. They have the experience necessary to help our underclassmen set goals and then work towards achieving those goals,” said head coach Steve Dunrud. “Even though track and field can be an individual sport, it’s also a team sport where our athletes can motivate, cheer, and help each other every day, whether it’s at a practice or at a track and field meet.”

Other senior high track team members on the girls side include: junior Jada Goeson in the mid-distance runs, sophomore Payton Lausten in the sprints and hurdles, as well as freshman Shaila Roberts in the throwing events. 

The boys side includes juniors Cole Wilson in the sprints and jumps and Carl Peterman in the throwing events; sophomores Elijah Geiser in the mid-distance and Alex Mack in the distance; as well as freshmen Tony Nichols in the sprints and jumps, Jessiah Jesus in the sprints and Elijah Kaufmann in the throws and jumps. 

Dunrud said the Eagles are hoping to improve each week as they prepare for the sub section and section meet later this season. 

“We are looking at improving each week with the goal of running, jumping, or throwing our best at our post season track and field meets,” he said. “We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding 2024 track and field season. These tracksters have been working hard and are anxiously awaiting their first track and field meet of the year.”