With just under one week until the first high school track meet of the season at West Point-Beemer High School on Tuesday, March 26, the Wakefield Trojans are gearing up for what they hope is a successful season.
After coming off of a solid 2023 season that included numerous state qualifiers for both the boys and girls, both squads are looking to build off that momentum for a great 2024 season.
With numerous returning athletes for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, things are looking good for the Trojans as they gear up for their first meet of the season on Tuesday.
For the girls’ team, to go along with a plethora of fresh faces, they’ll be returning a three-time state qualifier and 2023 Class C 800M State Champion Jordan Metzler for her senior season.
“Metzler has been a phenomenal athlete for us from the first moment she stepped on to the track,” said Head Coach of the Trojans Mike Hassler. “The problem with Jordan is that she excels in so many areas and she is only allowed to do four events. It’s definitely a nice problem to have and we look forward to having her for one final season.”
Also returning to the track for the Lady Trojans will be senior Daveigh Munter-McAfee, who qualified for the 100M Hurdles in 2022. After missing out on state last season, Munter-McAfee is out for vengeance this season.
“Daveigh has grown tremendously as an athlete the last four years,” Hassler said. “She has dedicated herself to the weight room and our goal as a staff is to see her in Omaha in May.”
As for new faces, Hassler is excited to see them all, but is especially excited to welcome newcomer Boston Brown, who he says has the potential to be solid in jumps, hurdles, and sprints.
For the boys’ squad, the Trojans will be returning just one state qualifier from the 2023 season. Cael Johnson, a sophomore for Wakefield, managed to walk away from the 2023 State Championships with an eighth-place medal in the 300M hurdles last season and is back for more this spring.
“He had an exceptional freshman season in the hurdles,” Hassler said. “We think Cael also has potential to be a solid 200/400 runner as well and he was also making some big strides in the triple jump towards the end of his freshman year.”
One exciting up-and-comer to keep your eyes out for is junior Jesse Lundahl, who’s entering just his second competitive season with the Wakefield track and field team.
“Last year was his first competitive season and he was throwing exceptionally well by the end of that,” Hassler said. “He has an outstanding work ethic, and he has put in the time this past year to put himself in spot to be successful. We are hopeful for a breakout season for Lundahl this Spring.”
With all large team full of exceptional multi-sport athletes, Trojan fans have a lot to look forward to this spring. The season will kick off on Tuesday, March 26 with a tough test at the West Point-Beemer Invite.