Tracksters to host conference meet

• Steph McGregor

Steph McGregor

Talk about it

The boys and girls Two Harbors track team has placed in the top three in most of their eight meets so far this season and coach Tony Altiere said he feels his squad is readying for the final push of the season.

The Agates will host the Polar League Conference meet next Wednesday at 2 p.m.

The squad competed in the True Team Sectional Meet in Pillager on Tuesday, a meet where depth is an important factor in the overall score.

“We’re a pretty balanced team with a lot of young talent,” said Altiere.

The boys sprints are strong with several of the relay team making it to the state track honor roll. The relays are primarily made up of junior Chad Brelie, sophomore Caleb Hamp-Sill, sophomore Alex Horoshak and junior Ryan Guentzel, with sophomore John McDannold and senior Matt Wicklund alternating in on a number of the events.

“I really consider it a six-man relay with the athletes we have,” said Altiere.

The 4X100M has so far run a 46.3 while the 4X200 has pushed across the line in a time of 1:30.3.

Guentzel competed in both the 100M and 200M at state last year and this season the junior is focusing on the 200 and 400 events.

“His training has gone exceptionally well so far,” said Altiere.

In the field events, junior Alex Rohde has hit a 42-5 toss in the shot put and a throw of 121-11 in the discus. Wicklund also tosses those events but has been hampered by a hand injury.

Altiere feels that Hamp-Sill might be one of the top three long jumpers in the section, already hitting a number of jumps over 19 feet.

In the distance events, senior Jamie Merrill runs the 1600M and sophomore Josh Ensign, out for track the first time, has already made a splash at that distance, according to Altiere. Freshman Parker Kausch is showing promise in the 800M event.

For the girls, injuries might be the tale of the tape so far this season.

Promising sophomore high jumper Maire McMahon is out for the season with an ankle injury. Altiere said the ankle has been a bother for some time and he’s hoping that the time off will help her recover fully. Freshman Lacey Myrdal is a good sprinter in the 200, 400 and 800 events.

He said the girls relay teams will do fine as the season draws near the conference and section meets, though injuries have also hurt the usually strong girls relays.

Freshman Steph McGregor has turned out to be one of the top section discus throwers and Altiere feels she has a good shot to make it to state. She’s made the state honor roll with a toss of 108-8.

In the distance events, junior Sonja Peterson is trying to run through a hip injury and sophomore Anna Schield is doing well in the 1600M and 3200M events.

Tags: high school sports, sports