Track and Field Preview/Team Capsules
Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Southland/Kingsland
Head Coaches: Aaron Thauwald (girls), Rebecca Young (boys)
2025 Season: GMLOKS’ girls won the Section 1A True Team title for a sixth straight year and finished as state runner-up to 1A foe Cotter/Hope Lutheran by 5.5 points (543.5 to 538). The boys took fourth at the 1A True Team meet but did not make state. The girls notably won the Sub-Section 2 Meet. Individually, Tate Georgen (800), Chantle Reiland (100, 200, Long Jump), Amelia McCabe (Pole Vault), Lauren Queensland (High Jump), Zach Reiland (300-hurdles), Neveah Shaw (High Jump), the girls 4×200 (Reiland, Lydia Redman, Brynna Nelson, Breeley Galle), and boys 4×400 (Z-Reiland, Kaleb Yunker, Carter Glynn, Georgen) made state. Georgen won the 800-meter state title. C-Reiland took third in the 100 and 8th in the 200. The girls 4×200 took third. McCabe and Queensland each took seventh, Z-Reiland eighth. The program watched one of its best, Chantle Reiland, graduate. Now at Minnesota-State Mankato, she finished her high school career a 15-time state track and field qualifier. State qualifiers Queensland, Shaw, Z-Reiland, and Yunker also graduated.
Seniors: (girls) Avery Stroup, Emma Lewison, Diana Garcia, Breeley Galle, Kaylie Betts, Lydia Redman, Ellie Watson, Caisa Kolling, Gracie Foster, Naomi Warmka; (boys) Carter Glynn, Hayden Zweibohmer, Michael Johnson.
Juniors: (girls) Mya Walerak, Lillian McKay, Brynna Nelson, Madeline Kroecker, Jillian Moore, Gretchen Hubka, Mylah Montgomery, Julie King, Aubrianna Buttke, Kloe Meyer; (boys) Tate Goergen, Tayegah Williams, Pietro Gulli, Hunter Staples, Nathaniel Drees, Kale Vanderhaeghen, Bently Wiersma, Cohen Craft, Braydn Nordeng.
Key Underclassmen: Amelia McCabe (sophomore), Rylee Holst (sophomore), Kiera Eickhoff (sophomore), Keira Stier (freshman), Maddy Montgomery (freshman), Anna Imm (sophomore).
Kids to Watch: On the guys’ side, Tate Goergen is the dominating returning Section 1A and Class A 800-meter champion. As soon as he gets done playing for the state qualifying Southland boys basketball team, the running phenom will jump into track and field. He also qualified for state amidst the boys 4×400, of which Carter Glynn is another returnee. Glynn has twice made state in a relay (also 2023’s 4×800). On the girls’ side, four state qualifiers from last year return in Pole Vaulter Amelia McCabe and three-fourths of the 4×200 (Lydia Redman, Brynna Nelson, and Breeley Galle). Galle has run on four state 4x200s, Redman three. Galle, a Southland senior, has three individual state qualifications to her resume as well, the 100-meter hurdles in 2024, the 300-hurdles in 2022 and 2023. She enters her senior year as a seven-time state qualifier. At last year’s 1A Meet last year, Galle finished top six in four events (2nd 4×200, 4th Triple Jump, 5th 100-hurdles, 6th 300-hurdles). Gracie Foster, a 2024 state qualifier in the 100-hurdles and as part of the 4×200, is another former state qualifier who returns. She took sixth in the 100-hurdles at sections last year. Other high girls section placers from last year who return are Avery Stroup (4th P-Vault), Brynna Nelson (6th 400), Kloe Meyer (6th Shot Put), Caisa Kolling (7th Shot Put), Naomi Warmka (7th 800), and Maddy Montgomery (7th Triple Jump). All four members of the 1A 8th place 4×100 return (Redman, Foster, Stroup, Keira Stier). Three-fourths of the 1A sixth place 4×400 (Rylee Holst, Kiera Eickhoff, Nelson) and seventh place 4×800 (Anna Imm, Warmka, Emma Lewison) return. The girls team begins the year ranked #2 in the True Team polls behind Cotter/Hope Lutheran. Coach Thauwald had 46 girls grades 9 through 12 to work with. Other high boys section placers from last year who return are Bently Wiersma (6th Long Jump) and Brede Nelsen (7th Pole Vault). Half of the 1A 8th place 4×200 returns (Wiersma, Goergen). Coach Young has 22 guys grades 9-12 to work with (which is down from recent years).
Lanesboro/Fillmore Central/Mabel-Canton
Head Coaches: Alex Aiken (boys), Lori Anderson (girls)
2025 Season: LFCMC’s girls took third at the 1A True Team meet but qualified for state by Wild Card, marking the 8th straight year a girls LFCMC team has made state. They took eighth at last year’s event. The LFCMC boys took fourth at the 1A True Team meet and did not qualify for state. LFCMC sent three to state individually last year, Autumn Rakosnik (3,200-meters), Greg Kennedy (Long Jump, 200-meters), and Brody Niemeyer (Shot Put). Rakosnik notably took sixth, Kennedy 7th in the Long Jump. The Burros also sent four relay teams to state. The girls 4×800 (Kinley Soiney, Madi Zwart, Lillyan Kiehne, Rakosnik) took seventh, the boys 4×100 (Weston Collins, Adrian Rindels, Davis Penhollow, Kennedy) took ninth. The girls 4×400 (Olivia Rindels, Ella Halverson, Soiney, Kiehne, Rakosnik) and girls 4×100 (Hannah Vaalemoen, Charlotte Ferrie, Kiehne, Soiney) also made it to St. Michael. Of that group, only Kennedy and Collins graduated. But Soiney and Halverson are not out for track and field.
Seniors: (boys) Cody Serfling, Davis Penhollow, Brody Niemeyer, Jaxon Huntington, Mason Gilbertson; (girls) Lillyan Kiehne, Kyla Hellickson, Elizabeth Clarke, Aubrey Daniels.
Juniors: Tristen Sill, Ryan Schroeder, Cooper Pickett, Joseph Otto, Parker Krage, Quinci Kaase, Riley Grant, Kalen Collins, Andrew Brown, Bridon Bahl, Will Boettcher; (girls) Cameron Wingert, Olivia Rindels, Amelia Ringer.
Key Underclassmen: Autumn Rakosnik (sophomore), Adrian Rindels (sophomore), Madi Zwart (sophomore), Hannah Vaalemoen (sophomore), Ava Larson (freshman), Charlotte Ferrie (freshman), Grant Daniels (freshman).
Kids to Watch: Sophomore Autumn Rakosnik was a triple state qualifier last year (3,200, 4×400, 4×800) and LFCMC’s highest returning state placer (sixth in the 3,200). Senior Lillyan Kiehne returns after running on three state qualifying relays (4×400, 4×100, 4×800). She is five-state state relay qualifier. Three members each of the state qualifying girls 4×800 (Rakosnik, Madi Zwart, Kiehne), 4×100 (Hannah Vaalemoen, Charlotte Ferrie, Kiehne), and 4×400 (Olivia Rindels, Kiehne, Rakosnik) return. Brody Niemeyer is back as a state qualifying shot putter. Two members of the boys state qualifying boys 4×100 and section 4th place 4×200 return (Adrian Rindels, Davis Penhollow). Gals Elizabeth Clarke (3rd Pole Vault), Charlotte Ferrie (6th 100), Ava Larson (6th Triple Jump), Kyla Hellickson (7th-tie High Jump) also placed highly at sections. Three-fourths of the 8th place girls 4×200 (Aubrey Daniels, Vaalemoen, Larson) returns. Girls coach Lori Anderson returns a lot of talent including 26 girl’s freshmen thru seniors (though the versatile Soiney not being out hurts). Three-fourths of the section 6th place boys 4×800 returns (Cooper Pickett, Jaxon Huntington, Grant Daniels). Boys coach Alex Aiken has 16 combined juniors and seniors to work with, 33 guys grades 9-12.
Rushford-Peterson/Houston
Head Coach: David Jewison
2025 Season: RPH’s boys took second at the 1A True Team meet to St. Charles but did not qualify for state by Wild Card. RPH’s girls took sixth at the True Team meet. The Trojan boys took third at the TRC Meet while the girls took fourth. Three individuals and a relay qualified for state. Aubry Boldt triple-qualified, winning 1A titles in the Triple Jump, 100-hurdles, and the Long Jump. She then won a state title in the Triple Jump, took third in the 100-hurdles, and fourth in the Long Jump in a tremendous state tourney. Guys Chace Drazkowski (Shot Put) and Isaac Rasmussen (1,600) also qualified for state, as did the boys 4×800 team (Aaron Ploetz. Matthew Sprague, Trey Hegland, Isaac Rasmussen). Of the state qualifiers, only Sprague graduated.
Seniors: (boys) Aaron Ploetz, Caden Mattson, Christo Badenhorst, Emil Tschakert, Hunter Rislov, Isaac Rasmussen, Jamison Eichacker, Landon Dahl, Logan Kinstler, Noah Anderson, Trey Hegland; (girls) Jorja Meyer, Aubry Boldt, Ava Helgemoe, Cambria Bauer, Elaine Griffin, Quinn Potter, Sarah Montezuma
Juniors: (boys) Brennan Kunst, Chace Drazkowski, Cole Thompson, Lucas Redalen, Cole Timm, Holden Lee, Liam Cox-Fingerson, Sebastian Escobar; (girls) Claire Shepard, Emilee Peterson, Kenley Snyder, Lydia Pedretti, Maddi Ingvalson, Sophie Meyer, Vada Larson
Key Underclassmen: Abby Prinsen (sophomore), Emily Helgemoe (sophomore).
Kids to Watch: Senior Aubry Boldt is one of Southeast Minnesota and the state’s top Class A track and field athletes. She enters this year as an eight-time state qualifier, with seven top 10 finishes and last year’s Triple Jump state title. Boldt has triple qualified in the Triple Jump, Long Jump, and 100-hurdles each of the last two years. She is also the reigning TRC meet 100-hurdles, Long Jump, and Triple Jump champ. She is signed to run track and field at Division I Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Chace Drazkowski (Shot Put) and Isaac Rasmussen (1,600) return as throw and distance state qualifiers. Drazkowski is the reigning TRC Shot Put champ. Rasmussen is one of three guys, with Trey Hegland and Aaron Ploetz, returning from last year’s 4×800 state qualifier. In need of a fourth runner to the team, they are the defending TRC Meet 4×800 champs. Jorja Meyer (3rd Shot Put, 4th Discus), Abby Prinsen (5th Discus), and Emily Helgemoe (7th 400) are returning high placers from sections. Prinsen is the reigning TRC Meet discus champion. Three members of the 1A 6th place girls 4×800 return (Ava Helgemoe, Caitlin Bauer, E-Helgemoe). Drazkowski also placed highly (sixth) at sections in the Discus. Three members of the 1A 8th place 4×100 team return (Lucas Redalen, Landon Dahl, Caden Mattson). RPH has over 90 kids out total including roughly 19 junior and senior boys, 14 junior and senior girls.
Chatfield Head Coach: Jeff DeBuhr
2025 Season: The girls and boys teams each took seventh at the 1A True Team meet. The girls took sixth and the boys tied for seventh at the TRC Meet. The girls 4×100 (Adeline Schild, Savannah Peterson, Natalie Davidson, Jaelyn LaPlante) made state, finishing third. Charlotte Oeltjen (3,200), LaPlante (High Jump, 200-meters), Peterson (200-meters), and Jake Stevens (Shot Put) made state individually. LaPlante, a nine-time state qualifier, graduated. Oeltjen and Stevens also moved on.
Seniors: (boys) Maddex Lanning, Ivar Stavlund; (girls) Julia Goldsmith, Ella Lane, Gabriele Massa, Grace Patten, Kylie Sinn, and Hannah Tweten.
Juniors: (boys) Charlie Heppding, Simon Erding, Ben Peeters, Ezra Schild, Lane Schmaltz, Ross Stoehr; (girls) Lexi Kivmagi, Savannah Peterson, Aubrey Koball.
Key Underclassmen: Logan Pearson (sophomore), Natalie Davidson (freshman), Lillie Stejskal (freshman), Makynli Ostby (freshman), Adeline Schild (8th grader), Adelia Goldsmith (8th grader), Sophia Goldsmith (sophomore).
Kids to Watch: The Gophers sole returning individual state qualifier is Savannah Peterson (200-meters). But three-fourths of the state qualifying 4×200 returns in Peterson, Natalie Davidson, and Adeline Schild. Replacing a graduated anchor Jaelyn LaPlante, however, is a tough feat. Peterson (7th Long Jump), Ross Stoehr (8th 100-hurdles), and Davidson (9th-tie Pole Vault) are other high 1A meet individual finishers who return. Relays could be a strength. All members of the 1A 5th place girls 4×200 (Lillie Stejskal, Schild, Sophia Goldsmith, Peterson) and 7th place girls 4×400 (Stejskal, Makynli Ostby, Adelia Goldsmith, Schild) return. Three-fourths of the boys section 6th place 4×200 returns (Simon Erding, Lane Schmaltz, Logan Pearson). The Gophers have a decent allotment of young track and field talent. They have 49 total kids out 9 thru 12.
Caledonia/Spring Grove
Head Coaches: Mitchell Bechtel (girls), Reese Wait (boys)
2025 Season: As per the norm, neither C/SG team took part in the Section 1A True Team Meet. The boys tied for seventh and the girls took 8th at the TRC Meet. Fischer Wait (400-meters) was the only state qualifier, placing ninth. He graduated as a six-time state track and field entrant.
Seniors: (boys) Noah Heppner; (girls) none.
Juniors: (boys) Bodie Knutson, Coby Hammell; (girls) Jessica Stendel, Phoebe Lampert, Alexis Qualy, Kya Deck, Lillian Theis, Morgan McCabe.
Key Underclassmen: Kamrin Thies (freshman), Charlie Mauss (sophomore), Finley Wait (7th grader).
Kids to Watch: C/SG had two girls relays and a guys relay place at sections last year. From those teams, only Kamrin Thies, Coby Hammell, and Charlie Mauss return. Theis competed amidst the fourth place 4×200, the sixth-place girls 4×100. Hammell and Mauss competed amidst the fifth-place boys 4×200. The Warriors are a little short in upper grade numbers with three combined junior and senior boys, seven junior girls. The girls have 36 out total mostly in the freshman and sophomore classes. The boys have 15 out grades 7 thru 12. Finley Wait, sister of Fischer Wait, is a very young athlete to watch. She won two events (55, 400) at the season opening Luther Indoor meet.
Track and Field (3/19 & 3/21)
Luther Indoor Meet 3/19 (LFCMC’s girls (214) topped Chatfield (98), Lewiston-Altura (94), and Caledonia/Spring Grove (58). LFCMC’s boys (209) topped Chatfield (144), L-A (67), and C/SG (22). LFCMC boys’ firsts: Adrian Rindels (55 > 6:82, 200 > 24.30), G. Daniels (400 > 59.40; Triple Jump > 36’8”), Parker Krage (Pole Vault > 12’0”), and Brody Niemeyer (Shot Put > 48’3”). Krage (55) added a second place. Cooper Pickett (400), Andrew Brown (800), Riley Grant (1,600), Bridon Bahl (Long Jump), and Joseph Otto (Shot Put) took second. Chatfield boys’ firsts: Ben Peeters (800 > 2:22.42), the 4×200 (1:39.32 > Lane Schmaltz, Ezra Schild, Simon Erding, Logan Pearson), and the 4×400 (3:52.88 > Schmaltz, Kash McBroom, Brandt McBroom, Maddex Lanning). Pearson (200) and Schmaltz (P-Vault) added second places. Ross Stoehr (T-Jump) took second. LFCMC girls’ firsts: Autumn Rakosnik (1,600 > 5:38.46), K. Hellickson (High Jump > 4’10”-tie; Long Jump > 16’6”), Elizabeth Clarke (Pole Vault > 8’0”), Aubrey Daniels (Triple Jump > 30’3”), the 4×200 (1:56.78 > Daniels, Charlotte Ferrie, Hannah Vaalemoen, Olivia Rindels), and the 4×400 (4:35.53 > Madi Zwart, Daniels, Rakosnik, Lillyan Kiehne). Ferrie (55, L-Jump), Vaalemoen (200, Triple Jump), Hellickson (800), and Rakosnik (P-Vault) added second place finishes. Grace Kingsley (1,600) took second. Chatfield girls’ firsts: Lexi Kivimagi (800 > 2:40.59). Natalie Davidsion (55-hurdles) took second (of four). C/SG girls’ firsts: Finley Wait (55 > 7.82; 400 > 1:03.68) and Kamrin Thies (200 > 29.40).)
Decorah Invitation (Indoor Meet at Luther College) (GMLOKS, Decorah, Crestwood, South Winn, La Crosse Logan, Onalaska, and St. Charles competed. GMLOKS’ girls’ firsts: Gracie Foster (55-hurdles > 9.04). Emma Lewison (400), Breeley Galle (55-hurdles, Triple Jump), and Maddy Montgomery (Long Jump) took second. The 4×800 relay (Gretchen Hubka, Lewison, Eickhoff, Naomi Warmka) took second. Foster (55-meters, T-Jump) also had two third places. GMLOKS boys’ firsts: Calum Sween (55-hurdles > 9.39). Bently Wiersma took second (Triple Jump) and fourth (Long Jump). The 1,600-meter sprint medley (Hunter Hyde, Carter Glynn, Nathaniel Drees, Wiersma) took second. Drees (200) and Glynn (Triple Jump) added third place finishes.)
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