Lady Throwers to lead the way for Bulldog Track and Field

By Missy Klatt

BOYCEVILLE — Coaches Corey Day and Jacob Peterson along with a young Bulldog team will have to work hard to have a comparable season to last year. Last year the Bulldogs qualified for state in three different events with Tyler Krueger and Brandon Kennifick placing second and ninth, respectively in pole vault at the state meet. The Lady Dawgs sent their 4×100 relay team, consisting of Erica Sempf, Carlee Scultz, Naomi Hillman and Cassie Malean to state and Malean also competed at state in the high jump.

The Bulldogs also had 13 individuals make the All Conference team either as individual performers or as part of a relay. Cassie Malean also tied a school record in the high jump with a jump of 5’5”.

Of those lost to graduation, Cassie Malean was perhaps the most talented. Coach Day comments that “she could place high in almost any event and a lot of meets she was in 4 events and did them well. Cassie qualified for state in 6 events in her four years and was second place at state in the high jump as a freshman.” Erica Sempf who Day calls a perfectionist was a three time state qualifier while Carlee Schultz was their relay specialist who qualified for state twice.

Brooklyn Booth was another girl lost to graduation. She missed going to state by one height for the third year in a row in pole vault. It was a competitive year for girls’ pole vault but Brooklyn won several meets. Coach Day said she had a “hard nose attitude in the pole vault”. He goes on to say that she along with these other girls will be greatly missed.

On the boys’ side Tyler Krueger was a standout pole vaulter that the Bulldogs were sad to see graduate. Besides being a three time state qualifier in the pole vault, Coach Day states “he had a fun attitude that others responded well to.” He also did well in the hurdles and the 400. “He was usually the last to leave the track and it paid off for him.”

A trio of senior girl throwers look to lead the team this year. Day states that Haley Wold, Paulina Wienke and Satina Chilson have dedicated themselves this summer and they will turn heads, especially in the discus. Day is also looking for good things from senior, Emily Voelker in the distance races. Voelker was second team All Conference this past fall for cross country. Sophomores Naomi Hillman and Megan Hintzman look to do well this season; Hillman in the sprints and Hintzman in the pole vault.

The other returning letter winners for the girls are Rachel Becker, Lauryn Dominic, Tara Gunnafsen and Jasmine Windsor. 

On the boys’ side, returning letter winners that will offer up some experience are Rian Corr, Ryker Ferg, Emmet Kapsner, Brandon Kenefick, Justin Lombardo, Casey Owen, Steven Rasmussen and Damien Waller.

As for newcomers, Coach Day has been impressed with freshman Chrissa Kersten, Chesney Leslie, Jocelyn Wilson and Nathan Stuart. He is also looking for good things from freshman Nathan Corr who was a standout runner for cross country.

Day is looking to the field event people to lead the team in points this year. He’s hoping it will offset their lack of experience on the track, stating we are a young team with a small junior class.

As for goals Day would like to have a strong conference team showing and to qualify as many individuals to sectionals and state. He goes on to say that our goal is 1% better each day and if we do that we will have some really good performances this year.

Day picks Elk Mound as one of the top in the conference this year due to their numbers and their performance in cross country.

The Bulldogs will also be coached by Jacob Peterson. This is Peterson’s third year coaching. They will be assisted by Joan Klassen, Kevin Hagen and former Bulldog, Zach Klassen. Zach just finished his college career in track & field for Michigan Tech where he is the record holder for the Decathlon.

The Bulldogs will be at UW-Stout on Tuesday, March 27th and at Saint Croix Central on April 5th for invitational meets.

Girls Roster:

Seniors: Satina Chilson, Lauryn Dominic, Emily Voelker, Haley Wold, Paulina Wienke.

Sophomores: Rachel Becker, Tara Gunnafsen, Naomi Hillman, Megan Hintzman, Jasmine Windsor.

Freshmen: Chrissa Kersten, Chesney Leslie, Mollie Pederstuen, Jocelyn Wilson.

Boys Roster: 

Seniors: Sean Best, Rian Corr, Ryker Ferg, Emmet Kapsner, Brandon Kenefick, Trystin O’Connell, Casey Owen.

Juniors: Ty Gunlach, Justin Lombardo, Josh Volk, Damien Waller.

Sophomores: Cade Klefstad, Steven Rasmussen, Dane Wedland.

Freshmen: Nathaniel Chich, Samuel Chich, Nathan Corr, Brendan Hazelton, Nathan Stuart.