ALBANY — For the Comets’ boys track team, depth and talent will be strengths this year. Seven athletes return from last year, and another seven join the varsity ranks this spring.
“I believe this team can score over 100 points at the conference meet this year, along with qualifying a lot more events to the sectional meet,” said coach Tony Brewer. “Teamwise, it’s too early to tell if we have enough to challenge the top two teams in the conference. Individually, our goal will be to improve on last season’s performance with all the returners. Hopefully for some of the individuals, their season will end at UW-La Crosse.”
Returning runners including seniors Brian Cid, Ethan Koss, Gage Roth and Drew Sertle, with juniors Jayden O’Bel and Owen Roth also back, as is sophomore Caleb Smith.
Cid, Koss, Roth, O’Bel, Sertle and Smith were all sectional qualifiers in various long distance events.
Bryce Hughes brings talent to the sprints and jumps, as do Zach Hughes, Kamron Parker and Beckett Wachholz. Danny Dunphy and Nick Stokstad will be entered into the throwing department, and Kaleb Broughton adds depth to the distance events.
“I believe leadership will be a strength and that is always a key to success of a team,” Brewer said.
On the girls side, six return and three newcomers will add to overall depth.
State qualifiers McKenna Broughton, Linsey Mueller, Ava Ahnen and Elle Modaff are all back, as are Rachel Wildt for the sprints and sectional qualifier Lillyanna Morales in the throws — who missed state by just mere inches as a freshman in 2022.
Emma Grosz, Amy Schwartz and Isabelle Brewer are newcomers for the Comets.
“Individually, our goal will be to focus on the returning athletes improving from last season, along with having the rookies improve throughout,” coach Brewer said. “If we can accomplish these goals, then our team can also improve from last season.”
With Broughton, Ahnen, Mueller and Modaff, the coaches are excited for the mid- and long-distance depth. Even better, given the success from 2022 that returns, coach Brewer is confident in his veterans to keep improving.
“I believe we have good leaders. That will be key for the whole team to work hard and achieve success.”
