T he boys and girls track teams look to make a statement as the season is coming to a close and look forward to state. This season the Colts are looking to bring back a few district and conference championship plaques. With leadership from Gottlieb Gerstenecker, Nakira Gage, Adam Geisz along with many other great athletes.
For the girls track team this year they are looking to make big moves this season and have very high expectations. With the previous seasons being very successful and this season will be no exception.
“So as a whole this year we have most seasons is. We’re going to be competitive within our conference, we are potentially in the conversation to bring back a district plaque,” said head coach Ryan Banta.
Not only does Banta want to have success on the field, he wants them to be leaders and great role models off the field.
“The thing is that we represent our community and take pride in knowing that as an athlete your an ambassador for your school. And you want to have good curb appeal. And so I feel like for us as a program we are putting our best foot forward both literally and figuratively so that we can be a big success on the track and off the track and we are also going to be a community beyond that , so your not just part of a team but part of a small family with tight knit community of ladies,” Banta said.
They have a bunch of athletes to look for this year with a lot of improvements from last year that are going to make big steps this season.
“So we have a ton of athletes that have made a lot of improvements and we are very blessed to have a lot of athletes who have made contributions since senior year. This year we are looking to seniors like Lanese Farr in the javelin, [Ogechi] Okpara in the short sprint; Margaret Vierling in throwing and she has been a nice addition that we were really surprised about and we are very happy about,” Banta said.
Gage is one of the best sprinters in Missouri and her success starts in practice and repetition to make herself better. Gage has been running track since she was six years old and has had big plans for track since. Though she is a terrific athlete she is very humble and is one of the leaders of the girls track team.
“I mean it feels really great being one of the faster ladies on the team, because I know that a lot of people look up to me and competing in track meets makes me really happy,” Gage said.
“Along with Nakira Gage as one of the highest ranking sprinters in the state of Missouri and has continued to improve this year and makes us really excited about what the future holds for our team as a whole,” Banta said.
Not only do the girls look to make big strides this season, the boys track and field team also looks to compete and bring back a few plaques of their own. With leadership from a few athletes such as Gerstenecker and with Geisz the boys look forward to state. Geisz who is a thrower is looking to make big strides in his sophomore season. Geisz throws shot put and discuss for the Colts.
“This year I’m really looking forward to state as I feel like I have a chance to produce points for the varsity squad this year, especially in discuss which is my best throw. Even though I am an underclassman I feel like I can be a huge contributor to the team this year,” Geisz said.
One of the leaders from the track team, Gerstenecker has huge expectations this year and is gearing up for making this his best year of his track career. He also has very high expectations for himself and is always motivated by the people around him. To take his talents to the next level the people around them are helping him get there.
“I want to place at least top eight all state in three events being the 4×800, the 800, and the 1600. I am motivated by my passion for running, my team and my family,” Gerstenecker said.
Some other athletes to look out for in boys track in field are seniors Jayden Littlejohn in sprints, Caleb Tillis in high jump and hurdles, Ryan Long in the high jump, junior Luke Schaefer in sprints.
Look for the boys and girls track teams to be very good this year and make a statement and state this season later this month.