By: Alex Madsen
Sacred Heart Irish track and field team kicked the season off with a stellar performance at the Pioneer Conference Indoor meet at Doane University. The men’s team captured first overall while the Lady Irish came in a close third. The Irish build off last year by returning five state qualifiers, along with a massive freshman class of athletes.
The Irish hurdle squad lost Rob Froeschl to graduation. Rob was a constant state qualifier and a consistent medalist for the Irish. Senior Elijah Canonico will attempt to take over the lofty role of leader set by Froeschl. Canonico has already showed he is the man for the job, with a 7th place finish in the 300m hurdles at State last season. Sophomore Ryann Westengaard will continue to improve after a respectable freshman season. Freshmen Noah Howard and CeeJay Tisdel will attempt to leave a mark and add some points for the team.
The Irish sprinters will be led and dominated by Junior Kayden Groth. Groth improved all last year and has shown deep offseason progression through weightlifting. It is fitting that Groth takes over, after his sister Destry Groth graduated after a career of sprinting dominance. Freshman Cash Witt will look for inspiration as he is expected to be a difference maker.
Sacred Heart distance corps will continue to show progression, grit and promise. The squad is led with a state medal. The highlights of last season featured a plethora of medals each meet and was capped off by a 7th place medal from senior Brenden Lemerond in the State 1600m. Lemerond is expected to continue to dominate the 800m and 1600m this year. Junior Hayden Clow has been training this offseason and has improved dramatically, which will benefit him in the 3200m. There is no telling for certain which events junior Bo Fletcher will embark in. Coach Lemerond sees Fletcher as a Swiss army knife, capable of a top three medal in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. Fletcher had a promising run in the 3200m at state, before a heartbreaking fall left him one place away from a medal. Senior Alex Madsen suffered a back injury sidelining him for his senior year, adding more space for promising young runners like freshman Owen Santo to flourish. Senior Kyler Sipple has also made the switch to middle distance. Sipple’s speed and endurance will be an excellent base for a potential 4x800m relay team.
The girls’ 4x800m relay shined strong last season, with a fourth-place finish in a vastly talented pool. Jentry Lechtenberg and Destry Groth were the premier senior losses for the girls’ middle-distance squadron, along with a nasty meniscus tear for state medalist junior Alise Reschke, which will sideline her for the entire season. Senior Daycee Witt will look to anchor down the lady Irish. Junior Emily Tubbs also brings valuable 800m experience. A large highlight from the massive freshman class is Bailey Lemerond and Payten Georges. Both have the possibility to be freshmen state qualifiers. In 8th grade, Georges ran a 6:22 1600m while Lemerond ran a 6:21. Both will be looked to as consistent medalists. The freshman class also features Macy Taft, Kemper Sipple and Kinley Lechtenberg, who will all be valuable assets for the Irish.
The throwing sector of Sacred Heart track is also looking to continue excellence. Despite senior state qualifier Evan Bailey graduating, the Irish retain the vast majority of possible medalists. Senior Cooper Knobbe and juniors Toby Baxter and Hallie Jones are capable of great PR’s this season in both shot and discus. “I’m really excited for this season,” Senior Cooper Knobbe says. “We can really accomplish great things.” The Irish also bring in promising freshman talent in Aiden Scheitel and Carlee Bailey.
The “field” part of Sacred Heart track and field will not be excluded from the array of medals returning home. The high jump event features juniors Bo Fletcher and Emersyn Courtney along with sophomore J.J. Lancaster. Long/triple jump will see action from Brenden Lemerond with Kemper Sipple and Kinley Lechtenberg. Pole Vault is expected to be dominated by senior duo Brenden Lemerond and Brookelyn Bebermeyer, continuing the tradition of excellent Irish Vaulters started by Fr. Robert Roh. Owen Santo and Bailey Lemerond are also expected to be a value, considering successful junior high careers in vaulting.
Finally, the relays will hopefully be a high point for the track team this year, despite graduating many core members. The girls 4x800m relay has the same philosophy as girls’ basketball, reload and re-dominate. The boys 4x800m relay is showing great promise, as all the right pieces are starting to come together. Both 4x400m relay teams accomplished top four finishes at the competitive indoor conference meet last Wednesday. Only time will tell who will be in each relay. Coach Lemerond and Coach Goltz will take into account everyone, and gauge various aspects of performance, toughness and potential when deciding. “It’s important to note,” Coach Lemerond explains, “We don’t know who, for sure, is going to be in each relay. We have ideas and we intend on testing out who we think will give us the best chance of success.”
Needless to say, this year will be an exciting one for the Irish.
