Fergus Falls had a large group of seniors graduate, including state place winner Svea Smestad.  Smestad was fifth in the shot put, establishing a new school record of 39-feet-3-inches, breaking the previous mark of 37-feet-8-inches that stood since 1982 and was held by Sharon (Kunz) Casey.  Anna Anderson (Sprints, Long Jump, Triple Jump), Brooklyn Berge (Distance), Anika Eldien (High Jump, Sprints), Natalie Fransen (Manager), Ashlyn Fronning (Sprints, Long Jump), Sierra Hatlewick (Distance), Makayla Huus (Pole Vault, Sprints), Emma Koeckeritz (Distance), Emily Nuss (Long Jump, Distance) and Isabella Strege (Sprints, Long Jump) were all lost to graduation.  “They covered a lot of events and were great leaders for us,” noted Coach Welde.

The Otters return state place winner Ainsley Hansen who placed fourth in the High Jump.

“Ainsley had a great season in the high jump and has also been a leader in the long jump for us,” reported Coach Welde.  “Megan Tossett, Talia Nelson and Ella Starzl each cover sprinting events and jumping events.  Haley Kugler has her years of throwing to help our team.  Ella Metcalf and Amelia Olsen will return in the Pole Vault and sprinting events, Rebecca Schindler and Naomi Dummer return in Distance and Middle Distance events, and Aisling Cox and Alexyss Samuelson will be back has throwers.  Sonja Lahti is again running distance for us.  They are athletes who can help in many areas.”

Welde is looking for varsity contributions from freshmen Sarah Nordlund, Siiri Smestad, Olivia Swanson, Hannah Scharnberg and Lauren Fazio.  “They all came up from the middle school team to help us fill a few events last year and all are back and standing out in practice,” said Welde.  “Junior Tyra Skjeret is coming off of a successful hockey season.  We look forward to seeing her compete with us.  Junior Alyson Bygt has returned to the team this year and will help us round out our sprinting.  Our freshman class is large and talented.”

Raquel Prody, Maya Fear, Alexis Wellman and Izzy Nebauer are part of that group.  “I see all of these girls developing into contributing members of the team,” added Coach Welde.  “Sarah Grotberg joins us this year in the distance events.  She has been running cross country for us and we are glad to have her share her talents with our track team.”

Shawn Papon, Randy Hansen, Ike Carlson, Denny Hystead, Sara Delaney and Derek Meyer (Boys Head Coach) will assist with the program.

Alexandria and Willmar are Welde’s picks as favorites in Section 8AA and the Central Lakes Conference.