Tiger boys strive for a three-peat
By Casey Krautkramer
Stratford’s boys track and field team had quite a memorable season of winning championships last year. First, the Tigers won the Marawood Conference championship for the second straight season. Secondly, the Tigers won their first first WIAA Division 3 regional title since 2003. Lastly, the Tigers won their first WIAA Division 3 sectional championship since 1999.
Nate Heeg is a Stratford track and field alumni who is in his sixth season as the school’s head boys and girls coach. He is excited about the amount of potential the boys team has to win big time meets again this season.
“Predicting the future is always a tough one,” he said. “I believe the boys have the talent to go a long way this season. The team is well rounded with throws, horizontal jumps, vertical jumps, sprints and distance all contributing factors in the success of the team. We are very balanced overall and we do have spots where they will be able to score at a high level. The boys have high goals including repeating their previous efforts and looking to state as well. Things have to fall the right way and on the right days to make a state title a reality. It is no small feat. The last state title won by the Stratford boys was in 2008.”
Stratford’s top returning boy track and field athletes this season are senior Payton Glenn who competes in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter run, long jump and relays; senior Koehler Kilty in the shot put and discus; junior Jett Schoenherr in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter run and 4x100-meter relay; junior Brandon Knetter in the long and triple jump; junior Xander Curtice in the high jump, 300-meter hurdles and 400-meter run; junior Cree Defoe in the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run and 4x800-meter relay; junior Garrett Zuelke in the 800-meter run and 4x400 and 4x800-meter relays; sophomore Zander Zawislan in the relays, 100-meter dash and 200-meter run; sophomore Coltan Breit in the long jump, relays and 100-meter dash and sophomore Austin O’Neil in the relays, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.
The Tigers’ 4x100-meter relay team of Glenn, O’Neil, Breit and Schoenherr holds the school record of 43.75 seconds from last season and Nate Heeg believes this relay will break its own school record again this season.
“I tell the team every year that the relay spots are not set in stone and there are challengers that may take a spot over for this relay,” he said. “A lot has to shake out yet but I do believe the 4x100-meter relay team can break its own record this season and it’s a goal of it to do so.”
The following are the boy track and field athletes who are new to the team this season: Sophomore Trenton Cournoyer competing in the pole vault; freshman Austin Niehaus in the 400-meter run, hurdles and relays; freshman Conner Kraft in the triple jump and sprints; freshman Tyler Burke in the shot put, discus and sprints and freshman Carter Foster in the sprints, hurdles and relays.
Stratford’s girls track and field squad might not have experienced as much success as the boys team did last season but Nate Heeg believes the girls will improve this season.
“The girls are progressing very fast and have a well rounded group, with all events contributing as well,” he said. “Our numbers of girls are up and we are able to fill more positions. I believe they will take a big leap forward this season and will score a good amount of points at the conference meet. There are some bright individual spots as well that could really contribute to points and overall team success this season, along with good leadership and an up-and-coming group.”
Stratford’s top returning girl track and field athletes this season are senior Payton Drexler competing in the shot put and discus; senior Sadie Weigel in the 100-meter dash, long jump and the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays; junior Kayla Casperson in the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run and 4x800-meter relay, junior Breleigh Skaya in the 400-meter run and triple jump and sophomore Dawnyel Martin in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and the sprints and relays.
The following are the girl track and field athletes who are new to the team this season: Freshman Avery Skaya competing in the pole vault, 400-meter run and sprints; freshman Brianna Sheridan in the long jump, relays, 100-meter dash and 200-meter run; freshman Jaela Jochimsen in the 4x800-meter relay and the 800 and 1,600-meter runs; freshman Ali Bohman in the 400-meter run and long jump and freshman Julia Buck in the triple jump and hurdles.
STRATFORD BOYS TRACK AND FIELD- Introducing the 2024 Tiger boys varsity track and field team. Pictured, from left to right, front row: Coach Joe Drexler, Dylan Lange, Austin Niehaus, Aaron Knetter, Dylan Leffel, Chris Stuttgen, Colin Cournoyer, Trenton Cournoyer, Mason Miller, Cole Tichy and coach Robyn Jarocki-Hughes; middle row: Coach Derek Joswiak, Coltan Breit, Koehler Kilty, Brandon Knetter, Conner Kreft, Derek Wiese, John Buck, Xander Curtice, Cooper Bosmans, Kaden Foster, Cree Defoe and head coach Nate Heeg; back row: Ethan Heeg, Reid Miller, Payton Glenn, Jett Schoenherr, Zander Zawislan, Garrett Zuelke, Ryan Christopherson, Austin O’Neil, Tyler Butke, Carter Foster, Gavin Meyer and coach Kevin “Tiny” Michalski.
PHOTO BY HOLLY DEHLINGER
STRATFORD GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD- Introducing the 2024 Tiger girls varsity track and field team. Pictured, from left to right, front row: Coach Joe Drexler, Savana Kops, Hayden Fecker, Dawnyel Martin, Carley Ehrike, Hailey Fecker, Kayla Casperson, Breleigh Shanks, Sadie Weigel, Peyton Drexler and coach Robyn Jarocki-Hughes; middle row: Coach Derek Joswiak, Madelyn Stein, Lilly Dabbert, Haley Woodford, Hailey Wiesman, Kassedey Downey, Emily Zuelke, Georgia Kohl, Emily Rundle, Mckenzie Novotny, Hayden Polzin, Addison Grabow and head coach Nate Heeg; back row: Madelyn Berdan, Brianna Sherden, Ava Dehlinger, Jasmine Weiland, Breleigh Shanks, Julia Buck, Ali Bohman, Jaela Jochimsen, Avery Skaya, Kaylie McHugh and coach Kevin “Tiny” Michalski.
PHOTO BY HOLLY DEHLINGER
