Last spring the Tigers finished third in the Missota Conference race and in the middle of the pack at the Section 1AA Championships.
Among the list of graduating seniors from that squad were state discus champion Logan Hussung and consistent point-getters Jordan Keller, Matt Shutey, Andrew Thomas, Levi Freetly, Nick Arenberg, Brandon Todd, Ryan Farley, Tanner Fuchs, Shayne Benjamin and Ross Heintz.
But even with that large number of losses, coach Brian Helmstetter remains positive about the outlook for the 2011 season.
"With smaller numbers in our senior class and very few juniors it will be difficult as a team to contend in the conference and section," he said.
"But we have huge numbers in the ninth and 10th grade classes which could make it interesting as we get closer to May and see how they mature. Overall, it is a rebuilding year but I am excited to see how the young guys will fit with the team. They are going to be fun to watch."
Helmstetter welcomed 14 returning letterwinners to pre-season drills on March 14, 10 of them seniors: Tyler Beckett (hurdles, mid-distance), Andrew Cayard (sprints), Carl Elmer (distance), Justice Detzel (hurdles), Sam Hanson (hurdles, jumps), Zach Wyatt (jumps), CJ Record (sprints, high jump), Charlie Wicks (sprints), John Schimmel (throws) and Tyler Grubb (sprints, mid-distance).
"Out strength is going to be our senior class and its leadership," Helmstetter said. "Our youger athletes are going to look to the seniors for creating a strong work ethic and learning how to compete at the varsity level."
Underclassmen letterwinners include juniors Justin Hett (jumps) and Chad Retterath (distance); sophomore Tyler Lerbakken (mid-distance) and freshman Jake Rudeen (distance).
Other upperclammen expected to challenge for varsity positions inlcude senior Matt Stephan and Dillon Pariseau; juniors Jordan Anderson, Aaron Bendix, Tyler Boelter, Christopher Farley, Andres Flores, Jaurice Gates, Dillon Jones, Conner Kealy, Reece Lindquist, Jacob Novak, Albert Obnamia, Joe Ouyang, Tanner Reneken, Harrison Schneider and Jordan Vandivier
**For ninth and 10th grade hopefuls, see bottom of page)
Grubb won all-Missota Conference honors last spring in three events: the 100 meter dash, 400-meter dash and 4x400 meter relay. Hanson, Schimmel, Elmer and Retterath each won medals at the conference meet.
"The big question is how soon the young talent will be able to step into their roles as varsity athletes," Helmstetter said. "It isan't a matter of 'if' but 'when' and 'how many'.
"We have many pieces unfilled right now, but a lot of youngsters fighting at the chance to comepete. That's refershing and exciting for the future of Farmington track and field."
Coach Helmstetter returns a mostly veteran cadre of asssistants, inclduing girls varsity coach Tom Hart (jumps/sprints); Joe McCarthy (sprints/mid-distance); Julian Buss (pole vault); Lisa Lippold (distance); Maggie Endersbe (hurdles) and Justyn Helgeson (throws).
Helmstetter said he hopes to see more spectators at his team's home team meets this, year, inclduing the Missota Conference Championships scheduled for Thursday, May 26 at Tiger Field.
The first home meet is a co-ed quadragular April 12 with Northfield, Lakeville South and Woodbury.
**Sophomores: Darren Beenken, Alex Chadwick, Bradley Dow, Mitch Haugen, Austin Krause, Alex LaVictoire, Alex Lubbers, Jackson Moulin, Mikkel Peterson, Tyler Petter-McCauley, Conner Phu, Joseph Racine, Blake Ross, David Silber, Shawn Tabor, Adam Wallenta, Clayton Webb, Thomas Weigel, Alex Wilson and Helbert Zelaya.
**Freshmen: Mason Auge, Daniel Berg, Alexander Burton, Matthew Clark, Jack Erickson, Mason Gaylord, Caleb Gochenauer, Tanner Grubb, Jeffrey Gutierrez, Jeff Hanson, Joe Hoeve, Jacob Hove, Brendan King, Trace King, Derek Klotter, Austin Long, Nicholas Makhoul, John McDermid, Sean McHenry, Santana Perdomo, Jacob Rogers, Nickolas Ruark, Eric Schimmel, Hunter Sevenich, Blake Smith, Cullen Smith, Eric Stoeckmann, Reid Taubenheim and CJ Wynings.
