“The fact that we are here and competing after a year off due to COVID restrictions feels like a great first step,” said Welde.  “We have some athletes in good positions to have a chance at conference honors and great showings at Section and State.  We are watching closely as the High School League works out what the end of our season looks like.”

Ainsley Hansen, the Section 8AA high jump champion in 2019, Emily Nuss, coming off a state qualifying cross country season this past fall, Anna Anderson and Ashlyn Fronning, members of the All-Conference 4x100 relay team in 2019, and Svea Smestad, who broke a 39-year old school record in the shot put in the first meet of the season, form a solid nucleus to lead the Otters.  Welde is expecting Rebecca Schindler (sprints, middle distance) and Megan Tossett (sprints) to contribute as well.

The Otters will be hosting five meets and one day of the Section meet at the end of the season.  Welde says Moorhead and Alexandria will be the strong in Section 8AA and the Central Lakes Conference.

Derek Meyer (Head Boys Coach), Randy Hansen (Assistant), Paige Larson (Assistant), Denny Hystead (Assistant) and Stephan Stroh will serve as assistants.