Boys Track: Strength in Numbers

Sophomore Justin Hyytinen (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Coach Brian Helmstetter is counting on the wisdom in the old adage "There's strength in numbers."

Helmstetter and his staff welcomed a record 116 hopefuls to the first week week of indoor practice in hopes of improving on last year's sixth place finish in the Missota Conference.

"We're hoping these are the right 116 guys," Helmstetter said of the unprecedented number of athletes out for track at FHS.

Included in the massive turnout is a large group of upperclassmen, including 16 seniors: Leslie Adjei Athen Ashton, Josh Baker, Alex Chadwick, Tyler Lerbakken, Joe Lipham, Alex Lubbers, Mikkel Peterson, Tyler Petter-McCauley, Connor Phu, 12, Blake Ross, Adam Wallenta, Tommy Weigel, Clayton Webb, Alec Wilson, Helbert Zelaya.

Junior returnees include Mason Auge, Dan Berg, Alexander Burton, Jacob Earp, Jack Erickson, Mason Gaylord, Caleb Gochenour, Tanner Grubb, Jeffrey Gutierrez, Brendan King, Derek Klotter, Jake Lee, John McDermid, Sean McHenry, Josh Patterson, Santana Perdomo, Jake Rudeen, Hunter Sevenich, Blake Smith, Cullen Smith, Eric Stoeckman, Jared Wolt and CJ Wynings.

Sophomores Mike Husnik, Justin Hyytinen, Ryan Parco, Luis Rodriguez, Jake Ropeke and Tanner Thode also earned varsity letters last season.

Nine other upperclassmen are new to the team this spring: seniors Charles Anderson, Zach Colaw, Nathan Gantner and juniors Jacob LeClair, Dallas Guyot, Kade Kearney, Mac Bassett, Nathan Rauschnot and Nick Varner.

New underclassmen expected to battle for varsity positions include sophomores Cody Barfknecht, Collin Berquist, Wyatt Ferm, Jacob Gerdes, Garrett Haugen, Ethan Hensch, Zach Herrera, Noah King, Long Lam, Matt Olund, Dominic Paduano, Dylan Pitzen, Michael Sasso, Daniel Som, Dillon States, Zachary Steffen, Matthew Thompson and Peyton Woller and freshmen Nino Douanboutdy, Adam Dougherty, Josh Grimm, Alex Hart, Ryan Newton, Jackson Schneider, Kyle Smith, Dalton States and Devon Webb.

Senior Tyler Lerbakken (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Helmstetter thinks his team's biggest strength lies in the middle distance events where a strong group of veterans combined with some talented newcomers should spell success.

"With our numbers I believe our relays should be an improved strength which will translate into competitive practices with the boys fighting for positions," he said. "All of our new athletes have been willing to try any event which should help us fill some holes."

Helmstetter added that the big question marks heading into the season surround the field events where he lost top thrower Bret Hoffman and jumper Justin Hett to graduation and all-conference pole vaulter Reid Taubenheim to injury.

"We have good numbers at each event, but we must improve our distances and heights in each of them to have a chance at a conference or section title," he said.

Helmstetter predicted Chanassen and Shakopee would be among the chief contenders for Missota Conference honors and Owatonna and the Lakeville schools the pre-season favorites in Section 1AA.

"We believe we are in the running for the conference and section," Helmstetter said, "but everyone needs to play their role and help each other improve daily at practice."

The size of the team has dictated some changes in assistant coaching duties, including the following:
Joe McCarthy - sprints/mid distance
Justyn Helgeson - throws
Julian Buss - pole vault
Lisa Lippold and Adam Lippold - distance
Maggie Endersbe - hurdles
Vicki Lippert -high jump
Torrian Amie - jumps
Henry Schneider - utility