As the school year begins to wrap up, spring sports are just beginning! CHS’s Girls track team is sprinting to reach new goals this year. 

There are about 60 girls on the team; of those 60, coaches are hoping for ten girls to head to the state meet at the end of spring. The team is a young one, with over half of the participants being freshman and sophomores. That being said, Freshman Elizabeth Wemhoff has made a profound impact on the team, consistently competing at the varsity level.

The team has one varsity meet per week and one 9th grade/JV meet per week. This allows the girls to get into a routine with practice. It also helps the coaches make sure to incorporate technique days in between hard work outs and recovery days. Kreikemeier stated that this year will be different from the last in a few ways, especially considering the reduced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year’s seniors have taken a lot of responsibility, and they regularly exercise their leadership skills. For some, this season is the first taste of normalcy since their freshman year. Kreikmeier also noted that this year, the team will have a better foundation starting off, not to mention great leaders to help build and maintain the team’s momentum. 

Of the many meets this track season has to offer, Kreikemeier was excited to host a home meet with the boys’ team. Last year, CHS hosted a home meet with just three other schools involved. This year, the meet nearly doubled in participation as five schools made their way to prove their athletic prowess. 

Aside from regular season meets,  Kreikmeier is also looking forward to districts. Districts gives the athletes a chance to show what their hard work and dedication has been for, and this year’s event will hopefully result in as many state qualifiers as possible. 

This year’s varsity squad has a lot of excited competitors. Freshman Elizabeth Wemhoff found her way to the sport after being inspired by her family to try track last year. Her main events are the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100. Elizabeth was initially going to do soccer in high school, but she and her family thought track would be a better fit for her and her skills. 

Being a freshman on varsity can be a scary ordeal, and Wemhoff stated that the biggest challenge she encountered was keeping up with the seniors at meets. She also stated that it has been different doing prelims and finals for all of her events. However, Wemhoff is doing a great job at learning how to conserve her energy at meets by trying her hardest at practice and knowing her limits. 

The most memorable moment for Wemhoff has been meeting the track team and getting along with them. She also noted that she really appreciates the team welcoming her with open arms. Wemhoff is looking forward to seeing how much she can improve and hopefully break some records this year. She is also eager to see how her team improves as a whole.

Hannah Kwapnioski, a senior on the team, has been doing track since she was five years old. As a thrower, one thing track has taught her is her own ability to better herself as an athlete through determination. Kwapnioski is not planning on continuing her track career in college, but she will most likely join an intramural track team just for fun. Her most memorable moment in track is that every time she throws well in discus because she and her friends joke about her form! Kwapnioski is looking forward to seeing how far she is able to push herself this year personally. 

Another track senior looking to close out her high school career in style is Joselyn Olson.  Joselyn has been doing track for 7 years - all of middle and high school. Her events include the 200, 4x1, and long jump. 

Olson stated that track has taught her to push through hard times. In track, the team has hard work out days, so pushing through the workout and giving her best effort has transitioned into real life in the way that if something does not work out for her, she can adjust and remind herself to push through and still give her best effort. Olson is not planning on continuing her track career in college, but will instead focus on her studies. 

Olson’s most memorable track moment was long jumping at the state meet her junior year. She stated that she was having a really hard time jumping last year and wasn't doing well at the beginning of the season. She noted that she was super frustrated with herself, but she kept practicing, working hard, and trying to get better. She ended up qualifying for state and jumped her best there. She jumped 17' 5.75" and placed 7th. Olson is looking forward to enjoying her last few meets. She is also looking forward to districts and hopefully qualifying for state again.  

Anchor News wishes good luck to all of the ladies on the track team, and hopes this season is one to remember! To catch more information about the CHS Girls Track team, follow CHS Anchor News on Twitter or on Instagram @CHSAnchorNews