MONROE — After winning five straight regional titles, the lady Cheesemakers took third last season. Given his team’s talent and depth, girls head coach Eric Jubeck is confident his team can start a new regional championship streak.
“We want to get back to being regional champions after our first year in five seasons of not winning,” Jubeck said. “We also have the potential to take a couple relays and individuals to state.”
Senior Lauren Coppes leads the squad as a conference champ triple jumper. A season ago, she qualified for state in triple jump and the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Coppes placed fifth in the triple jump, and her PR is just 4.5 inches away from the school record.
“She has put in the time in during the off season and has the work ethic and attitude to have a special season,” Jubeck said. “She has done everything right, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this year.”
Junior Aleigh Zettle, who was also a member of the 4x200 and 4x400 state-qualifying relays, will continue her decorated track career. In two years, Zettle has scored 343.5 points as the No. 1 all-time freshman and sophomore in pole vault.
The remainder of the team is stacked, too, with hurdlers Brenna Aebly (senior), Taylor Jacobson (senior) and Ella Kranig (sophomore). Abbey Matley (junior), who enters just her second season, will continue to be relied upon in the high jump, while Sophie McGuire (junior) progresses at pole vault.
Distance-wise, Monroe will rely upon their state-qualifying cross country runners Xiema Miranda (junior), Aniyah Jackson-Bey (freshman) and Miley Hanson (freshman). Swimmer Anna Zentner (freshman) could also help in this area.
“She [Zentner] is a talented swimmer with running potential,” Jubeck said. “Swimmers succeed in running, as they have the mental part down. She has the chance to be a contributor from the get-go.”
While track and most field events are set, the girls’ squad continues to struggle in shot and disc after the graduation of Chloe Bunker in 2020 and Riley Hartwig in 2021.
“We need to find throwers who can get close to 35-feet in the shot put and 100-feet in the discus,” Jubeck said.
While Jubeck believes back-to-back conference champs Edgewood, Mount Horeb and Oregon are contenders for the Badger Conference title, he is confident his team will also be in the mix.
“Our tradition and talent always make us a tough team to beat at the conference meet. If we can progress throughout the season as well as we’d like, it’ll be a fun meet in Portage on May 16. We look forward to our fans making it up that evening, as well as a big turn out for our only home meet — the Glendenning Invite on Monday, April 10,” Jubeck said.
