Search
In 2023 the Hillcrest track and field teams qualified five athletes for the Section Meet. The good news for the Comets is that all five are returning for the 2024 season. Matthew Knutson, Gabe Swedenburg and Katie Holzner, 3 of the state qualifiers, will serve as team captains this spring. Alan Aase is in his 17th year as head coach. He will be assisted by Patti Zwiers, Jess Knutson, April Lokken, Jenny Mathieson, Chad Brown and Rod Garvin.
Returning letter winners include seniors Matthew Knutson (long jump) and Gabe Swedenburg (400), junior Katie Holzner (3200), sophomores Drew Fischer and Maverick Peterson, and eighth-graders Elsa Retzlaff (800) and Emme Berge.
Juniors Ruby Peterson and Trevor Mortenson, and freshman Kaia Fiskness (400) are expected to contribute at the varsity level.
“We will be strong in two relays this year,” said Coach Aase. “The girls 4x400 with Kaia, Elsa, Emme and Ruby, and the girls 4x800 with Kaia, Elsa, Emme and Katie. We are excited by a much larger junior high program with lots of potential. Our weakness will still be our numbers in the varsity meets, but there is hope with more junior high athletes.”
Aase sees Wheaton as the top team in the Little Eight Conference, while Pelican Rapids and Pillager are his picks in Section 6A.