Eagles to rely on youth

By PAUL DUNLAP

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- It's going to be an interesting season for the New Ulm High School track teams.

A combined 88 kids are out for the Eagles, 48 on the boys side and 40 on the girls. Another thing that sticks out is youth ... lots of it.

"We have a nice nucleus of seniors, but some of our younger kids will be scoring points for us as well," boys coach Jim Pickus said. "We have strength in many ways -- experience in the older kids and raw talent in the younger kids. We should have a lot of people to use in a lot of different positions this year."

Leading the boys squad this season will be senior Mike Meyer, a state entrant from 1999, who will compete in everything from the long jump to the 200. "Mike seems pretty pumped up about this year," Pickus said. "The possibilities are there for him."

Others seniors who look to contribute include Chad Walden (800), Brian Meier (long jump, 200, 4 x 200), Derek Neidecker (100, 200, 4 x 100), and Jim Rieger (high jump). Exchange student Ferdinand Agbemadu will also get a look in some sprint work.

Pickus is looking at a nice crop of juniors as well, led by one of his top discus and shot putters, Shane Lindmeyer. Micah Neidecker will be running sprints, with other juniors being Steve Besser, Aaron Bowem, Jared Haynes, Andy Howk, Scott Krzmarzick, Mike Neveln, Sky Royston, Matt Schuetzle, and Karl Sieve. "All these kids should contribute for us," he said.

The group of 16 sophomores this season is led by Kory Andersen, who lettered in his freshman season. Matt Argall ran sprints last season, but is looking at distance as well. "People don't know how hard that is to do," Pickus said.

Other sophomores who will do a little of everything for New Ulm this season include Nick Baumgart, Joe Boyle, Ben Dauer, Jeremiah Harden, Steve Henley, Josh Jacobs, Greg Jamison, Luke Matthews, Aaron Petersen, Billy Schreiber, Kyle Schwartz, and Mark Toland. Petersen and Toland are new to the squad, and Pickus expects Schreiber to "do well for us. He really came on strong last year as a freshman."

Freshmen on the boys squad include Tom Bergstrom, Dan Besser, Dan Brown, Jordan Budenski, Brian Christenson, Andy Dickinson, Nate Howk, Tanner Miest, Jon Rewitzer, Danny Schreiber, and Josh Zupfer.

"Youth is definitely a strength for us," Pickus said. "They are going to score some points for us. There's some real potential."

New Ulm girls coach Jason Mortenson doesn't know quite what to expect.

"Coach (Kent) Viesselman was here last year, so this is my first year," he said. "All I know is these kids are working extremely hard and are very focused right now."

One girl Mortenson is looking to for leadership is senior Jessica Schaetzke, who runs 400 as well as competing in all three jumping events. "Jessica has had a little problem with tendinitis in her knee," he said. "Injuries are going to be key, a lot depends on them."

Shannon Zamzow, just a freshman, will be a main contributor in the 400. A pair of sophomores -- Julie Petersen and LeAnn Brudelie -- will contribute as well in the hurdles, both the 100 high and 300 intermediate.

Seniors Joni Krapf and Tamara Wellmann will hold up their end in the shot put and discus events, with the main sprinter, Mortenson feels, being senior Amanda Christle.

"Those are a few of the kids who I think will be big contributors for us," he said. "Plus, there are plenty of dark horses who will be stepping up for us.

"We would like to finish second or third in the conference meet -- see how close we are to Fairmont. They beat the nearest team by 100 points last year, and us by about 130."

The 2000 season begins Monday night, 6 p.m., at the St. Peter Invitational, which is held at the Minnesota State-Mankato Fieldhouse.

"It used to be called the SCC Indoor," Pickus said of the meet. "It's a good way to start because we can see how we fare against our conference."

No matter what happens Monday, with all the underclassmen the future of NUHS track and field seems bright.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Mortenson said.

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