Wausa track teams are ready for new season

WAUSA — Greg Conn has been doing this track thing for awhile, now.

So that gives him plenty to think about as the Wausa Vikings get back at it this spring, Conn’s 34th year in charge of the boys and 26th leading the girls program.

In 2015 Wausa’s boys finished fourth at state, while in 2011 the girls took 10th for the best results under the long-time leader.

Conn says this spring presents its own challenge after last year’s shutdown and he now essentially is working with two freshmen classes.

“Abrielle Nelson is a returning letter winner and state qualifier in the 300m hurdles from 2019,” Conn said of his girls leaders. “Leah Bloomquist was a state qualifier in the 4x100m relay which medaled at the state meet in 2019. Darla Nelson also qualified for the state meet in 2019 as well on the 3200m relay. Rounding us out is Brooke Kumm in the mid distances and Morgan Kleinschmit in the shot put and discus.”

The boys will count on Jarrett Andersen in the shot put and discus, Brandon Kristensen in the mid distances, Tyler Baue in the hurdles and Steel Claussen in the sprints.

“The thing that makes this group of boys and girls returning this year is that they have a strong work ethic and right now I like the positive leadership that they bring to the table,” Conn said.

Kleinschmit enjoys throws and is actually looking forward to getting back on the field. “It’s the reason I go out for track because I hate running and missing it last year showed me how much I truly missed it,” Kleinschmit said. “Anytime I need to get my anger out, I go out and throw for about an hour. Not being able to do that, I could tell I was a little bit more bunched up over the quarantine.”

Of course, the quarantine had that effect on about a few billion people, so the Lady Viking could be understood and now she hopes to recapture her skillset.

“I can tell personally that year was taken, because my throwing is further than what it should be,” she said. “Technique-wise, I can tell if I hadn’t missed last year, I wouldn’t be making the same mistakes I was making sophomore year.”

Conn also has some exciting newcomers like Sophomore Christina Martinson in the 400m and 800m runs and possibly in the 1600m.

“She was a medalist this fall at the state cross country meet,” Conn said. “What’s interesting about Christina is that she has a lot of range that she can move around in and is also a great competitor, so we are excited to get her on the track to see where she fits in.”

Other potential breakout stars include sophomores Ashlyn Timmerman, Alexa Cunningham, Taylor Alexander, Addison Smith, Jaxon Claussen and Josh Wattier on both sides of the roster.

“In the Fall, Addison qualified and placed at the state cross country meet and was also a state qualifier at the state cross country meet as a freshman,” Conn said. “So, all in all he brings a solid resume. Freshman Cade Wakeley will be another distance runner to watch for as the season progresses. He too is coming off a good cross-country season. These are just a few kids that were mentioned but I am really excited to see where all of them fit as far as events go.”

Conn likes the combination of young and old talent on the roster, and he hopes the leaders will push the team’s work ethic to high levels.

“Bottom line is it’s track season, baby, and we get to compete,” Conn said. “As far as what are the effects from last year’s shut down, well it’s kind of hard to say this early in the season, but from what I have seen so far is that there is hunger, a little apprehension about where they were two seasons ago, and a lot of excitement.”

“We told the kids that in some ways, we are starting over, and the slate is ready to be filled.” As the season moves closer the expectation is to see each individual’s best performance in terms of efforting each week.

“That doesn’t mean you will always win your event on the track or in the field events but push yourself further than the week before, the day before,” Conn said. “Control what you can control and go from there.”

The season is expected to start Thursday at the Neligh Relays.

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