New leaders, new goals

Boys track team has high expectations for 2023 season

After a successful end to last season—qualifying for state in five events and medaling in the 4×100 meter relay—the boys track team looks to build on their past success with new leaders. 

“We lost a lot of good guys, but we returned a lot of our 4×100,” head boys track coach Dan Krajicek said.

“We’ve got a lot of good athletes coming back that I think can qualify (for state).

— Coach Dan Krajicek

With last year’s success, Krajicek plans to make only a few changes by switching coaches to different events to increase efficiency. 

“It’ll be a little bit different because we’ve got just the coaches have changed around,” Krajicek said. “We’re trying to make it more efficient.”

To help with efficiency, Krajicek expects the returning state qualifiers and placers to take up the mantle as team leaders. 

 “All of our guys who were state qualifiers of course,” Krajicek said. “So [senior] Zach Krajicek, [senior] Jett Arensberg, [junior] Derek Wacker and [senior] Nolan Timm should take on that leadership role.”

Senior Jett Arensberg recognizes the work the team needs to succeed due to his past experience of working hard to qualify for the state meet.

The 2022 4×100 meter relay team including (left to right): graduate Josh Jessen, junior Derek Wacker, senior Jett Arensberg and senior Zach Krajicek. The 4×100 meter relay team placed fifth at the 2022 state meet.

“Working our hardest every practice was huge in order to place at state in the 4×100,” Senior Jett Arensberg said. “Working to be our best for state was the best grind of my life and if us leaders can encourage everyone else on the team to do it, our success will be huge.”

Similar to Arensberg, Krajicek is confident in how the team will compete if they put in the work. 

 “We have a lot of potential. The goal for the state meet and every other meet is to win the meet or place as high as possible,” Krajicek said. “I think as long as we have a full team, we’re pretty solid.”

Senior Zach Krajicek also has confidence in the track team, especially the 4×100. 

“With three returning guys from last year I think we will make another run at a state medal and hopefully get a higher place than last year.”