Boys Track eyeing another Big 9 title
April 21, 2017
As the weather warms up, spring sports spring into action. Boy’s track happens to be one of those sports. With a big team composed of 80 kids in total from ninth grade through 12 grade, coming off a stellar season, winning the Big 9 conference composed of twelve teams who all compete for that sought after title of Big 9 champs. Their first meet was at the University of Minnesota indoor facility. The team could not compete at the level they had hoped to due to an insurmountable number of kids missing because they were on spring break. Since competing at the U of M, the boy’s track team has taken home the first place title in both of their previous meets. One of the meets was a triangular conference meet between Huskies, John Marshall and Northfield. Beating out those teams early in the season shows sign that the Huskies are hungry for that Big 9 title for the second year in a row. Having healthy kids will be the key to success for the remainder of the season. Coach Jerry Eggermont stated, “The most competitive teams in our conference this year will be Mankato East, Mankato West and Rochester John Marshall.” Other than having tough competition in the Big 9, the Huskies are on track for a great season.
Senior Captain Jaden Dowhaniuk competes in the 4×200 meter relay, open 400 meter and 4×400 meter relay for the Huskies this season. Dowhaniuk was the only junior to compete on the 4×400 meter state qualifying team last season. Last year’s team was composed of senior, division one athlete, Jacob Johnson, senior Ryan Guenther and senior Nick Raichle who all graduated after last season. One thing Dowhaniuk has had to adjust to is the change in the 4×400 relay runners, as he has not run with these teammates before.
Looking forward to this season, the Huskies eye the Big 9 title yet again. Even with the varsity consisting of primarily juniors, anything is possible as long as hard work is put forth. In the words of Coach Eggermont, “A gold medal effort everyday in practice.” If the Huskies compete with that effort everyday, their 2017 season could be one for the books.
