The boys track team ended their 2024 season with success, having eight events qualify for state and two medaling. With a few notable athletes graduating last year, however, the team is looking to fill a few spots.
“There’s just a lot of new people this year that we kind of have to incorporate into everything when it comes to varsity needs,” senior Jason Neukirch said. “I mean, I guess [the biggest challenge is] just kind of growing with the team.”
Because of the different dynamic on the team, it’s opened up opportunities for leadership roles for this year’s seniors.
“These seniors have done a really good job, whether it was with football, basketball, wrestling, just having good chemistry, good work ethic and they’re generally just good young men,” head boys track coach Dan Krajicek said. “Anytime you lose somebody like (graduate Derek) Wacker…it just takes somebody else. Other people have to step up, so I’ll be interested to see who kinda steps up to fill those roles.”
Many of this year’s seniors happen to be returning state qualifiers, making for another potentially good season. Even with the pressure to repeat another successful season like last year, Krajicek wants his athletes to focus more on the process rather than the outcome.
“The goal every season is just to have fun,” Krajicek said. “Like compete well at meets, get better, get after it every go and just kind of improve. As long as we’re doing that, they’ll be good.”
By working to constantly improve in practice, many individuals are aiming to not only qualify and place at state but also beat school records in their events. One of these athletes is senior Tyler Witt, who was a state qualifier in the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter relay last year.
“My goals this season are to get the school record in the mile,” Witt said. “I need to shave off 19 seconds for that, and I want to make it to state in both of my events and win districts in both as well.”
Another senior looking to beat a school record is senior Lucas Bussing, who was a state qualifier in the 1600-meter relay but also runs the 100, 400 and 400-meter relay.
“[I hope] to get the 400 [school] record, which is a 50.3, and I run a 52.7,” Bussing said.
With concrete goals in mind, these athletes are focused on doing whatever it takes to achieve them.
“This year I am focusing on recovery and taking care of myself—that way there is nothing stopping me from achieving my goals,” Neukirch said.
While these athletes realize that taking care of the physical side is crucial, they’re also focused on the mental aspect of the sport.
“I am going to focus on one event at a time [because] last year I tried to focus on too much at once, so I need to simplify my mentality,” Witt said. “I am looking forward to making memories with the team and running my last year of track.”
Krajicek also shares the same mentality and finds the best part of track season is the work that’s put in before it’s reflected in the results.
“I guess districts and state is…the highlight because that’s what you’re kinda working for,” Krajicek said. “But as long as they’re getting better throughout the season, that’s kind of what I’m looking for. That’s what is the most fun.”
