Section 1A in southeast Minnesota is the place to be for premier track and field competition, and the Cobras are excited to see what the season ahead holds. As our team continues to grow, so, too, does the team’s success! With seventy athletes on the team (as well as six Cobra Track alumni currently competing at the collegiate level), the coaching staff is excited to see the hard work pay off in both individual and team performances. Our returning athletes brought friends, and the energy and attitudes at practice have been incredible over these first four weeks of the season.
Outdoor competition is set to kick off this week after having a few cancelled meets when the warm spring temps gave way to wintry weather. Our kids have their sights set on breaking personal records by improving their own times, distances, and heights in their events. Many have their sights set higher, on qualifying for sections or state. Still others are already looking beyond high school, setting their sights on earning opportunities to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level. One of the things we love most about track is that while we have collective goals as a team, we can also support each other in individual goals and clearly track progress.
It’s not an accident that many of our kids have visions of competing at the collegiate level. They have several great Cobra alumni as role models. Currently, Nell Graham is wrapping up her final season as a Bison at NDSU, where she has found a tremendous level of success in a wide assortment of events. Chloe Staub continues to compete in the javelin at St. Thomas. Scott Nolan (UW-Stout) has joined their team as a thrower. Owen Petersohn (Triton’s first individual state champion) is a hurdler on a very successful Minnesota State Mankato team. Hanna Strom (St. Mary’s) and MacKenzie Geers (Viterbo) are in their first collegiate seasons, as well. These young people modeled what it takes to take it to the next level. Our current athletes have a chance to be role models, too, as we work with community ed to provide track opportunities for elementary-aged kids.
We might be biased, but we think that we not only have some of the best athletes in southeast Minnesota, but we also have some of the best track and field facilities thanks to our community. This, along with the wonderful track and field alumni and supporters that help us make meets happen, are the reason that we are able to continue to host incredible track meet experiences. We invite you to join us to support our kids; this year, we are set to host seven meet dates, including both regular season meets and championship meets. The varsity team will hit the track April 12 and 18, May 7, 17, 28 and 30. The junior high crew will compete at Triton Aptil 22.
Three of those dates are major championship meets. Tuesday, May 7, we’re set to host twenty-one Section 1A schools for the section True Team meet. That meet will begin at 1:00pm and is likely to run until about 9:00pm, and as noted above, will showcase much of the best of what Minnesota track and field has to offer, with a focus on team as every competitor scores points for their team.
May 28 and 30, the state-qualifying Section 1A Championships come to Wally Hitt Field. As noted earlier, many athletes have their sights set on this meet and beyond, and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to compete on our home track.
We hope that you’ll consider checking out the action; if you’re interested in being part of the action by moving hurdles, measuring jumps or throws, or being in the middle of the action in other supporting ways, please reach out to Coach Swanson at kswanson@triton.k12.mn.us. We are so appreciative of the support our athletes receive from the community and can’t wait to see you at the track!
If you can’t make it to a meet but want to follow along with the team online, follow us on Facebook @TritonTrackandField. GO COBRAS!!!
