Staff writer
The Goessel boys finished second at the state track meet last year in the 1A class and most teams would find it a daunting task to finish among the leaders for a second year in a row. However, the Bluebird boys squad will be returning seven of the athletes who participated at the state meet last year. This year, the team will compete in the 2A class, which may make the success at state more of a challenge, but scoring points from several events can make for an interesting meet.
Weston Hiebert, Cameron Stultz, and John Berkholz used their sprinter speed to gather in points last year and also participated in the state champion 4x100 relay team. Hiebert also ran the hurdle races and Stultz and Berkholz will be expected to have success in the 100- and 400-meter races respectively. Evan Hiebert was competitive in the high jump event but was disappointed in his performance at state last year and is determined to do better. Laird Goertzen qualified in the 3200 meter race and, along with Derek Kruger and Jared Reimer, hope to pick up points in the two longest races in the high school events. Corey Buller returns as a team member from last year’s 4x800 relay. Jared Reimer picked up points a year ago in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races.
Twenty boys checked in for the opening week of track practice. “We are looking for some younger kids to step up and fill some of the relay spots,” said Head Track Coach Curtis Guhr. Goessel hopes to pick up a few points in the field events at each meet, and then come from behind in the team standings as the individual and relay running events are completed.
Goessel will open the track season Tuesday at Marion.
See page B-8 for GHS girls track story.