The Northland Pines boys’ and girls’ track teams opened practice last week despite what looks like a winter wonderland outside, with multiple storms whipping through Wisconsin last week and the weekend.

Pines track coach Josh Rhode said the team lost some talent from last season, but it is essential to return the following season with promise since losing athletes is like a revolving door every year.

“We have a really strong group of runners and sprinters returning on both the girls team and the boys team,” stated Rhode. “We did lose a lot of talent, but that happens each year, so it becomes a necessity to reload with promising new athletes.”

Boys team

Short-distance races will be the key not only for the boys’ team this season but also for the girls. Rhode said that the three team captains, Josh Graves, Jacob Beer and Mason Minaudo, will highlight multiple events on the track this season. They will be looked upon as leaders on and off the track.

“The boys’ team is looking strong in the sprints, relays and field events, but we are lacking in numbers with our distance and mid-distance. Jacob, Josh, and Mason are the team captains and will be relied upon to lead the team on and off the track this season,” explained Rhode. “All three leaders are going to be a big part of the sprint team, running relays and opens. I think the boys have strong chances in the relays to advance very far in the tournament as well.”
Minaudo also competes in the pole vault and has a goal of breaking the school record this season. Rhode mentioned that he has a strong shot at competing with the best at the State meet in La Crosse.

“Mason will be looking to break the pole vault school record and has a strong chance to get to the state Track meet,” Rhode said.

Outside of the returners, the boys have 13 freshmen with a variety of talent throughout multiple events.

“We have seen a lot of improvement already from our young athletes, and on the boys’ side, we have 13 freshmen with a tremendous amount of talent. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching these younger athletes develop over the course of the season,” stated Rhode. “We have a bunch of guys who will contribute points in a lot of different events.”

Girls team

The girls’ team is sprinkled with talented underclassmen, who either made an immediate impact last season as a freshman or will come into year one with big expectations.

“The girls will rely on many underclassmen as well to score for the team. Freshman Adi Thompson looks to be a dynamic athlete who will hurdle, long jump and sprint for her team, and I expect her to have an amazing season. Last year, Tatum Meier was our team MVP, and she has been working hard in preparation for this season. Tatum is a fast sprinter and found a lot of success in the horizontal jumps as well,” said Rhode. “After injury forced her out of competition for her sophomore season, Avery Renkes will return this season healthy. Avery was one of the fastest sprinters in the GNC as a freshman, and she is looking sharp and focused. They will be key runners on a variety of sprint relays that will have a chance to be very special this season.”

Team captains this year include Ava Carrillo, Bella Nowak, and Maria Krueger.
The girls also have the same shortage of mid-distance and distance runners.

Conference goal

The Eagles fell short of their goal of both teams finishing inside the top three of the Great Northern Conference last season. The goal remains the same this year, as Rhinelander looks to defend its title for both the boys and girls. They look to be strong again this year, along with Medford, Lakeland and Mosinee.
Northland Pines was supposed to host its first indoor meet of the season last Thursday, but that was cancelled due to the WIAA rules of needing seven practices before the season’s first meet. Due to school cancellations last Friday and Monday, the team would’ve only had at most six practices. The teams travelled to Ashland High School for a meet this past Tuesday and will return to host a meet this Thursday, March 26. Running and field events will begin inside the Pines Fieldhouse at 4:30 p.m.