“We have a small roster, but it is heavy with upperclassmen that can help to lead and teach our younger runners,” said Swanson.  “Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have strong throwers.  Joe Arens is a great distance runner and the boys’ team has the chance to put together some solid relays. Some youth and inexperience will be tough to overcome against bigger, faster kids, but the team is full of kids that will work hard.”

The boys’ roster includes returning seniors Marshall Vold (throws), Antonio McLain (sprints/middle distance), and Justin Schmidt (sprints), junior Jens Jorgenson (middle distance/jumps), sophomores Joe Arens (distance) and Andrew Hennessy (hurdles/sprints) and freshman Austin Kleindl (sprints).  Newcomers on the roster are senior Isaac Ebnet (throws/sprints), junior Wyatt Krueger (sprints/middle distance/throws), freshman Chandler Homan (middle distance) and eighth-grader Aiden Sigler (throws/sprints).

Seniors Lilly Stueve (hurdles/sprints), Alexandria Lanie (sprints) and Hannah deNeui (throws/middle distance) lead the returning members of the girls’ team.  They are joined by junior Heather Haukos (sprints), sophomore Ally Stueve (sprints/middle distance) and freshmen Katlyn deNeui (throws) and Amara McLain (sprints).  Newcomers are junior Morgan Dale (throws/middle distance/sprints), sophomore Zoe Theis (sprints/jumps), freshman Beth Powers (throws/sprints) and seventh-graders Aubrey Sigler (sprints) and Morgan Sigler (sprints).

“West Central Area is always really fast,” noted Coach Swanson.  “Wheaton should have some really good athletes this year.  It has been two years since we last got to compete in track so I don’t have a full feel for how teams will be yet this year.”