Coach happy to leave ‘Little Chute meat grinder’
By Greg Seubert
A move from Division 2 to Division 3 has Weyauwega-Fremont track coach Jered Wilson a reason to be excited about the upcoming season.
That means the Indians won’t have to deal with solid programs such as Little Chute and Freedom by the time WIAA regional and sectional meets roll around.
“We are very excited that we have moved down to Division 3 for this year,” Wilson said. “Not taking away anything from the competition of Division 3, but we are happy to leave that Little Chute meat grinder.”
The girls’ side includes a pair of returning state qualifiers in senior Cara Volz and junior Becky Schroeder.
Volz made it to the medal podium at state twice last year after placing fourth in the Division 2 100-meter hurdles and triple jump events, while Schroeder was 12th in the high jump.
“We have good numbers on the girls’ side with good upperclassman and some very talented freshman,” Wilson said. “We are led by our two all-state athletes, Cara and Becky. Even though we only have two all-staters, we have some very talented girls on our team and are very exited about this year.”
Also back for the girls are Ryanne Benz, Mikaela Hintz, Miranda Arndt, Alyssa Goode, Marlen Leyva, Saige Holcolm, Hannah Sroka, Kimmy Gilbert, Andi Ponto and Gwynette Koch. Newcomers include Karissa Akey, Karolanne Johnson, Caitlin Kepler, Sam Loschiovo, Marissa Grahm, Abby Wheaton, Natalie Schneider, Saylor Alberts, Mikyla Reeck, Katie Loehrke, Daisy Wilson, Tristan Paulson and Marissa Mason.
“We are light on numbers and very young on the boys’ side,” Wilson said. “We are hoping to get some of our leaders like Dylan Pankow, Brandon Hanes and Nic Burton to show the young guys the ropes.”
Other returning athletes include Hunter McClone, Alex Bartel, Chris Young, Payton Magdanz, Kyle Loehrke and Logan Wohlt. Newcomers include Dylen Kicherer, Logan Kicherer, Avery Kempf, Julius Sulprizio, Brock Brunner, Sawyer Hintz, Tristan Wollerschiem, Duane Brazil, Jacob Hablewitz, Austin Bartel, Drew Vandervest and Jacob Kuchkahn.
The Indians compete in the Central Wisconsin-8 Conference with Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa, Amherst, Bonduel, Pacelli, Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Shiocton.
“I see the boys’ conference (race) wide open, with Iola the early favorite,” Wilson said. “Until someone beats Wittenberg-Birnamwood, they have to be the favorite for the conference title.”
The team will open the season indoors at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational. The boys will head to the Kolf Sports Center Thursday, March 17, while the girls will make the trip Tuesday, March 29.
The first outdoor meet is an invitational Tuesday, April 5, in Wild Rose.
The team will not have a home meet until the Indians host the Rohde Invitational Thursday, May 5. W-F will also host an invitational Monday, May 9, as well as the Central Wisconsin Conference Meet Saturday, May 14.
W-F 2016 Track Schedule
• Thursday, March 17 – at UW-Oshkosh Invitational, 5 p.m. (indoor meet, boys only)
• Tuesday, March 29 – at UW-Oshkosh Invitational, 4:55 p.m. (indoor meet, girls only)
• Tuesday, April 5 – at Wild Rose, 3:45 p.m.
• Thursday, April 7 – at Bonduel, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 12 – at Wittenberg-Birnamwood Relays, 4 p.m.
• Friday, April 15 – at Rosholt, 4 p.m.
• Monday, April 18 – CWC Pre-conference Meet at Iola-Scandinavia, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 19 – CWC Pre-conference Meet at Iola-Scandinavia, 4 p.m. (rain date)
• Saturday, April 23 – at Waupaca County Meet, Waupaca, 9:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 26 – at Waupaca quadrangular, 4:15 p.m.
• Thursday, April 28 – at Tri-County Invitational, Plainfield, 3:45 p.m.
• Monday, May 2 – at Tri-County quadrangular, Plainfield, 3:45 p.m.
• Thursday, May 5 – Rohde Invitational, Weyauwega, 4 p.m.
• Monday, May 9 – Weyauwega-Fremont Invitational, 4 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14 – CWC Meet, Weyauwega, 10 a.m.
• Monday, May 16 – CWC Meet, Weyauwega, 4 p.m. (rain date)
• Thursday, May 19 – at Bonduel, 4 p.m.