Wildcat boys expect to challenge in NCC track
Returning letterwinners for the Wildcat boys’ track team, front row (l-r): Peyton Pedersen, Trey Al-Hameed, Coen Matson, Justin Ash and Mason Van Pelt. Middle row: Griffin Groat, Carter Reed, Owen Heider, Elliot Carlson, Luke Dewinter and Cael Donahe. Back row: Jackson Dodd, Tyler Carlson, Keegan Groat, Jack Guy, Jaden Himrod and Isaiah Busick.
HUMBOLDT – Humboldt boys’ track coach Greg Wickett has a full cupboard of athletes going into the new season. But based on the strength of Class 3A teams in the area and statewide, he’ll need every ingredient in order to compete this spring.
Wickett greeted 17 returning lettermen when practice began last month. Last year Humboldt placed third in the North Central Conference meet and won five events. They also sent eight events to the state meet, where the shuttle hurdle relay placed eighth and Elliot Carlson placed ninth in the long jump.
“It might be one of the biggest groups I’ve had for quite a while numbers-wise. I’ve got a big group of veterans that have been around for a long time. Then we have a lot of freshmen out this year, which is good for the continued strength of the program. You have to be deep to be successful and we are pretty deep with good numbers to put in the events. It’s shaping up to be well-rounded, too,” Wickett said.
“We’ve got throwers, middle distance runners and hurdlers. We’re a little light in the distance events, but I feel some of those young guys will step up and score for us. Overall, we look pretty well-rounded,” Wickett said.
“We have 47 total kids out, which includes 13 seniors, 13 juniors, 16 freshmen and five sophomores. It’s a big group,” Wickett said.
Last year the 4x800 relay placed 17th at stater in 8:20.34. Jackson Dodd, Mason Van Pelt, Peyton Van Pelt and Elliot Carlson comprised the relay. The 1,600 meter medley relay of Keegan Groat, Carlson, Dodd and Van Pelt finished 19th in 3:41.0.
Van Pelt ran the 800 meters in 2:04.37 to place 23rd. The 4x400 relay was 19th in 3:30.43. It was made up of Dodd, Carlson, Mason Brown and Van Pelt. Tyler Carlson was 17th in the high jump at 6-1 and Carlson leaped 21-3.75 for ninth in the long jump.
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