By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Westosha Central High School’s track program could be another year for the record books, if history is any indication.
The Falcons, coming off a girls Southern Lakes Conference title, and boys second-place finish, return a bulk of school record holders.
For the Lady Falcons, the squad returns eight letter-winners, led by senior triple jumper and hurdler Alex Reeves and a two other state qualifiers.
Reeves notched a school record in the triple jump.
Other key senior returners are thrower Olivia Simmons, a two-time state qualifier in the discus, and sprinter Sydney Rau, a 2014 400-meter dash state qualifier.
Westosha Central coach Brandon Claypool, who is in his sixth season, expects to see more from seniors Taylor Washak (triple jump, sprinter) and Jenna Trione (high jump).
Additionally, Claypool is also counting on juniors Amanda Sabourin (discus, sprinter), Maddie Hansen (hurdles, pole vault) and sophomore distance runner Meghan Capra, a state qualifier in cross-country in the fall sports season.
Gone to graduation are two three-time state qualifiers, Melissa Capra and Maria Sabourin.
Leading the way on the boys squad are a slew of distance runners that include seniors Jacob Hebior, Andrew Allen and Matthew Holloway.
The three distance runners were all state qualifiers on the 3,200-meter relay squad that finished sixth at the state meet, registering a time of 7:45.15.
Departing senior and two-time state qualifier Shane McNealy was part of the relay squad, and notched a school record in the 800-meter run.
Additionally, the time was one for the record books, Claypool said.
Austin Kurylo, a junior, expects to lead the pack of sprinters and junior Hunter Huggins and senior Nathan Ellerbrock are being counted on in the throwing events.
“Our athletes are always very aware of our school records and they’re always hoping to get their names up on the record board,” Claypool said. “We have several athletes this season who have worked very hard.”
The work ethic could pay off, Claypool said, with the coach anticipating more of the same this year.
“I have a feeling that we will once again begin seeing some new names up on the records board at seasons end.”
Wilmot seeks improvement from mediocre 2015
After finishing in the middle of the Southern Lakes Conference pack last year, Wilmot Union High School coach Norm Preo expects to see similar results in 2016, led by seniors Rebecca Alter, Jayden Jesse and Wyatt Heckel.
“Both girls and boys placed in the middle of the standings at Conference last year,” Preo said. “I am thinking the same for this year.”
Alter, who qualified in the 2015 state meet in both the 400-meter dash and 1,600-relay squad, already produced several top finishes in the Kenosha County Indoor Meet at Carthage College last week.
The senior sprinter finished third in the 200-dash, 0.42 seconds behind relay teammate and junior Maddie Martin, and notched third in the 400-dash, 0.25 seconds from catching second-place Molly O’Boyle.
Martin, who qualified on Alter’s relay squad last year, finished first in the 400-dash (1:01.18) and second in the 200-dash (27.57) to help the Lady Panthers to fifth place at the Indoor Meet.
For the boys, who finished third, Panthers’ Anthony Poco finished tied for second with Westosha Central’s Austin Kurylo in the 55-dash, crossing the finish line at 6.91.
Poco also collected fifth in the 200-dash, a shade ahead of teammate Anthony Klein.
The sophomore sprinter added a sixth-place finish in the long jump, making his mark at 18-feet-9.5 inches.
Junior Matt Cieslak collected first place in the 400-dash, clocking in at 52.77, nearly two seconds ahead of Kurylo.
Freshman Jordan Paulsen, who competed in cross-country, was sixth in the 3,200-run.
While the boys and girls squad return promising underclassmen, the program will be without SLC Female Athlete of the Year, three-time state qualifier Haylee Martin along with Austin Haag, another three-time qualifier.
However, Preo expects to see Rebecca Alter and Jesse notch several accomplishments, with another state appearance as one goal.
“Rebecca and Jayden have each set goals for themselves again this season,” Preo said. “With their work ethic, they both have a great chance of attaining their goals.”