Track teams aiming to be among Metro West’s, section’s best

After a few weeks of preparation, the New Prague High School’s girls’ and boys’ track teams are starting their journey toward being in top form for the season’s biggest meets in May.

The Trojans enjoyed their first look at competition Saturday in a non-scored indoor meet against conference competition at Orono. New Prague will host its first outdoor meet at Trojan Stadium, weather permitting, tomorrow, Friday, April 11, 4 p.m., against Northfield and Mankato East.

“We want to be the most improved team in the conference and section from the start of the season until the end and from 2024 to 2025. We will learn and grow at every practice and meet,” said NP boys’ coach Nick Meyer.

The NPHS girls will have a solid core of returnees with big-meet experience, said coach Johnny Josephson. The team’s goals are to be at its best for the conference, True Team and section meets, he said.

“This year's team consists of talented veterans with talented and exuberant rookies looking to make a difference and help the team achieve,” Josephson said.

In the field events, Susie Dalsin was a state high jumper two years ago. Ava Bruegger placed at state last year in the pole vault and ran in state sprint events. Ashdyn Padelford and Julia Kubes lead a deep stable of throwers. Bruegger and Hailey Proshek, who went to state in the hurdles last spring, will lead a solid group of sprinters, Josephson said.

In the distance events, Lydia Cavanaugh, Paige Swanepoel and Audrey Wagner are back and welcome Maya Kilian to their ranks.

The New Prague boys lost several top performers in sprints, middle distance and throwing events, Meyer said. The team is working to develop more depth in key events, especially the hurdles, distance running and field events. The team is looking to athletes like Cale Chromy, Adam Proshek in the jumping events, sprinters Andrew King and Jacob Neiderhiser, thrower Duane Menorkpor. Shea Dickerson is back this year in the sprints and long jump events and the trio of Kyle Allen (distance), Jack Leonard (long sprints) and Isaiah Russell (sprints and jumping events) are new to the team as seniors and have already made an impact, Meyer said.

The Trojans will also look to...

To see more on this story pick up the April 10, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.