EARLY BIRD TRACK MEET

Due to the nice early spring weather, the Rebels were able to host the Early Bird Invitational for the first time since 2019 on Thursday, March 27th. This four team meet is more of a time trial. as it only consists of individual open events and no relays. This gives the coaches an opportunity to let multiple student athletes participate and get times in common weather conditions.

After graduating eight seniors from last year’s squad, the girl’s team has a little smaller and younger team this year. Returning for their final season are; thrower Krystyna Betz, sprinter Courtney Gengler and distance runner Sophia Nelson. Junior Erica Doeden and exchange students Beatrice Sargentini and Zita Wallisch round out the upperclassmen.

Sophia Nelson led the way in the mid distance races, winning the 800 and coming in 4th in the 400. Freshman Holland Vogel was 4th in the 800 and came in 2nd in the 1600. Courtney Gengler finished 7th in the 100 and 5th in the 200 while newcomer, seventh grader Charley Holm took 2nd in both of those races.

In the field events, Holm was 3rd in the pole vault, while classmate Kora Kremer was 5th. Thrower Erica Doeden had a fine all around day, finishing 2nd in both the shot put and discus. Krystyna Betz finished 4th in the discus.

On the boys side, they return many of their top performers from 2024 and also welcome 17 new members to the team. They have a large sprinter group, led by last year’s team MVP Anikan Larson. He placed 2nd in the 100 and won the 200 and long jump. Other sprinters include senior Andrew Holm (100 - 4th, 200 - 4th, 400 2nd), junior Luke Iverson (100 - 6th) and sophomore Caleb Rosenbrook (100 - 7th, 200 5th). Newcomers sophomore Brayden Gilb and freshman Parker Olson had a great first meet, placing 7th in the 400 (Gilb) and 5th in the 100 (Olson).

Distance runner and 2024 Best of Track athlete, Alex Betz, started the year off on a high note, running a personal best time of 2:09 in the 800 to take top honors. Betz also placed 3rd in the mile. He was joined by Henry Carlson (800 6th, mile - 6th) in those events. Beckett Stelter had two 8th place finishes, one in the 400 and the other coming in the 800.

The high hurdlers went 1-3-4, with Carter Knakmuhs winning the event, Blaine Braun placing 3rd and Tyler Reith coming in 4th. Isaiah Wolske led the throwing group with runner up performances in both the shot put and discus. His brother Gabe was 4th in both of those. Broox Platt took 3rd place honors in the discus while Carson Engelkes was 6th. Griffin Braun and Engelkes went 6-7 in the shot put.

Caleb Rosenbrook, 2024 Best of Field winner, had a great start to the pole vaulting season, winning that event. Torin ThunderHawk and Carter Knakmuhs tied for 2nd in the high jump while Brayden Gilb was 4th. In the triple jump, Andrew Holm had a personal record, coming in 2nd place. Freshman teammates Dylan Gilbertson and Brett Pieske placed 5th and 6th.

Weather permitting, the Rebels will be hosting the Dick Davidson Invitational on Thursday, April 3rd at the MCC Sports Complex.

Holland Vogel

Broox Platt

Henry Hause

Beatrice Sargentini

Andrew Holm

Courtney Gengler

Wesley Hause

Zita Wallisch

Gabe Gleis

Dylan Gilbertson

Henry Carlson