With winter sports just ended, the Paynesville girls' track team is training already for their upcoming season.Even with the weird weather that we have been having, the girls have been able to go outside and train. This year they have a few extra team members, so that really will help them out through the season.
The team captains for the 1999 season are: Gina Benson, Amber Michaelis, and Tiffany Rausch.
There are 31 girls out for the team, with a few more coming out next week. "This is the most girls we have had out for track. The numbers are still increasing," said Dave Randgaard, head coach.
Randgaard is really pleased with the increased number of girls out for the team and said it will increase the team's depth.
The returning letterwinners on the team are: seniors Benson, Michaelis, and Camille Flanders; juniors Erin Aagesen, Carin Frenchick, Courtney Karsch, Cindy Lang, Mandi McCool, and Rausch; sophomores Joy Hemmesch, Leanne Kolb, Katrina Orbeck, Jamie Teicher, and Jana Zumwalde; and ninth graders Jenny Hess and Heidi Jansen.
The girls return as defending Sub-Section 20 champions for the third consecutive year and are also the defending West Central Conference champions! Last season, they were the top ranked girls team on the West Central Tribune's Track Honor Roll.
This year's team really has a lot of athletic ability and talent, with a really good blend of experienced girls and newcomers. They are working hard in practice to get even better. They will be exciting to watch this year. "We can have another highly successful season this spring if we have the same desire and competitive spirit we have shown in the past," Randgaard said.
He also feels the team needs to stay highly motivated to continue to stay on top as one of the best girls teams in the area.
The girls have their first meet Saturday, March 20, at St. Cloud State at 9:30 a.m. It is a big meet with all the larger schools from the area. The competition will be very strong. The site for the meet is Halenbeck Hall. Hope to see you there.
Probable individual events:
Gina Benson: high jump, triple jump, and the 800-meter relay;
Laura Mages: shot put, discus, relays, and long jump;
Amber Michaelis: high jump, triple jump, long jump, and the 100- and 300-meter hurdles;
Erin Aagesen: 800-, 1,600-, and 3,200-meter runs, and the 3,200-meter relay;
Carin Frenchick: 400- and 800-meter runs, and the 1,600- and 3200-meter relays;
Courtney Karsch: 100- and 200-meter dashes, and 400- and 800-meter relays;
Cindy Lang: 100- and 300-meter hurdles, and 400-and 800-meter relays;
Mandi McCool: high jump, and the 800- and 1600-meter relays;
Tiffany Rausch: 100-, 200-, 400-meter dashes;
Brett Bork: shot put and discus;
Joy Hemmesch: triple jump, pole vault, and the 400- and 800-meter relays;
Leanne Kolb: 3200-meter relay, and the 800- and 1600-meter runs;
Katrina Orbeck: 100- and 300-meter hurdles, and 200-meter dash;
Jamie Teicher: shot put and the 100-meter dash;
Jana Zumwalde: 800-, 1,600-, and the 3,200-meter runs;
Angie Ahrens: high jump, triple jump, and pole vault;
Melissa Bachman: 100- and 300-meter hurdles, pole vault, triple jump, and long jump;
Angie Eisenger: 400-, 800- and 1,600-meter runs;
Mesa Frenchick: 300-meter hurdles and the 400-meter run;
Carla Hemmesch: 400-, 800-, and 1,600-meter relays; and 400-, 800-, and 1,600-meter runs;
Jen Hess: 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs, 3200-meter relay, and long jump;
Heidi Jansen: shot put, 100-meter dash, and the 400- and 800-meter relays;
Rachel Koehn: 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs;
Amy Mueller: pole vault, 400- and 800-meter runs, and the 800- and 1600-meter relays;
Rebecca Rondeau: shot put and discus;
Ashley Wall: 100- and 300-meter hurdles, high jump, and long jump;
Danielle Lieser: 3200-meter relay, 800-, 1,600-, and 3,200-meter runs, and triple jump;
Amanda Mayer: 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter relay, and the 400-, 800-, and 1,600-meter runs.