Alexandria boys track and field coaches are eager to see where their athletes end up by the championship portion of the season with many guys back who were part of a good team in 2019.
Current senior Nolan Morical and junior Kristen Hoskins, who is still finishing up his basketball season at the state tournament, were state champions that year in the 4x100 relay, and both return to help anchor some talented sprinters. Morical was also an all-state athlete in the 4x200 relay the last time this team was on the track.
“We have some kids back who were in the state meet in 2019 and I believe they will have strong seasons,” head coach Mike Empting said. “We have several up-coming athletes who I think will be able to contribute and make this a strong team overall.”
In addition to Morical and Hoskins, other returning athletes with some level of varsity experience include: Seniors Jacob Kleven, Bennett Wirth, Nathan Klimek, Torrey Olson-Rodel, Lance Jacobson and Cameron Hochsprung and juniors Myles Sansted, Joel Brault and Ben Borden in distance events. Seniors Carson Schreck, Nic Huss, and Jaegar Steele and juniors Evan Schroeder, Mason Teaser, Jack Theien (state meet appearance in 2019 in the 4x400 relay) and Teagan Pfeffer add depth among sprinters.
Returning throwers include Neko Glaser, Isaac Kershaw, Zander Homelvig, Ethan Hoppe, Calen Piepho and Joey Lanoux, while AJ Sparr and Gavin Ashmore help anchor the hurdlers.
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“With about 80 boys out this season, I think our strength will be our depth in all areas,” Empting said. “Our young kids and new faces will need to keep growing and improving as the season progresses to make us competitive and championship caliber at the end of the season.”
2021 ALEXANDRIA BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ROSTER
SENIORS - Lance Jacobson, Jacob Kleven, Hayden Peterson, Bennett Wirth, Logan Rekedal, Levi Rekedal, AJ Sparr, Carson Schreck, Cameron Hochsprung, Nathan Klimek, Eric Lebrasseur, Torrey Olson-Rodel, Nic Huss, Jackson Jahnke, Nolan Morical, Jaegar Steele, Ibukun Taiwo, Gunner Anderson, Noah Capouch, Neko Glaser, Isaac Kershaw; JUNIORS - Joel Brault, Myles Sansted, Gavin Ashmore, Zach Gundberg, Evan Schroeder, Mason Teaser, Jack Theien, Ben Borden, Fequiere Becker, Christian Doumbia, Will Heydt, Kristen Hoskins, Matthew Johnson, Wyatt Odland, Teagan Pfeffer, Erik Schabel, Alex Zavadil, Zander Homelvig, Ethan Hoppe, Joey Lanoux, Calen Piepho; SOPHOMORES - Keenan Bruso, Izaya Bruso, Harrison Greathouse, Riley Wagner, Bryr Homelvig, Noah Pohlen, Nicholas Borden, Mitchell Chlian, Jordan Nicholson, Nolan Peterson, Wyatt Tischer, Kelly Johnson, Marc Magaard; FRESHMEN - Payton Gessford, Nicholae Meyers, Thomas Wilmesmeier, Dominic Bartone, Dylan Frusciante, Sam Williams, Silas Dahlseid, Drew Gundberg, Owen Jensen, Tucker McGrane, Owen Draper, Karl Franson, Throck Lehmann, Hunter Mohr, Evan Moore, Andrew Snyder, Venald Becker, Andrew Flaten, Jasper McDaniels, Joaquim Ramos, Khelden Ritter, Fiyin Taiwo, Jace Blenker, Brayden Fiala
COACHES - Head coach - Mike Empting - 24th season overall; Assistant coaches - Meghan Orgeman (head girls' coach), Ty Granning, Rey Fuglestad, Jerry Amundson, Travis Hochhalter, Nikki Paradis, Tayler Kaufman
ALEXANDRIA BOYS TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE
April 10 vs. Moorhead at AAHS, 3 p.m.
April 15 vs. Fergus Falls at AAHS, 4 p.m.
April 20 at Rocori, 3:30 p.m.
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April 29 at Sauk Rapids-Rice, 3:30 p.m.
May 6 vs. St. Cloud Apollo at AAHS, 4 p.m.
May 14 at St. Cloud Tech, 2 p.m.
May 20 at Willmar, 3:30 p.m.
May 27 vs. Bemidji, 2 p.m.
