The Neosho High School girls track and field team will feature a solid group of returning varsity performers and a large number of promising newcomers this spring.
With that in mind, Wildcats coach Terri Kemna expects to see steady progress throughout the 2022 season.
“We are excited about having some great returners and a lot of new faces, including some athletes who have not participated in track until this year,” Kemna said. “The young ladies have a great work ethic and attitude and there is a lot of great leadership on the team.
“I expect to see a lot of growth,” Kemna added. “We have talented returners, but a lot of new faces who will contribute. And our numbers are balanced. Because our team is really young and our more experienced athletes are very positive, I anticipate a lot of excitement as we work hard, have fun, and get better.”
Six seniors return with varsity experience — Bailey Miller (pole vault, 400, 800), Claudia Johnston (throws), Heaven Kivett (sprints, 4×800), Taigen Mitchell (sprints), Jamie Patterson (throws) and Kendall Platner (jumps, hurdles).
There are 10 juniors returning with prior varsity experience. They are Jayden Adams (distance), Makenna Davis (distance), Gracie DeFoor (throws), Madi Ebbinghaus (sprints), Karlee Ellick (jumps), Hannah Fehring (sprints, hurdles), Katelyn Mahurin (throws), Lakyn Prough (distance), Kaylee Schibi (throws) and Kinley Wilson (sprints, pole vault).
Sophomores who gained varsity experience last year are Claire Burghart (pole vault, sprints), Riley Kemna (distance), Cadence Martensen (throws), Makayla Peters (sprints, jumps) and Miranda Wennhold (sprints, jumps).
Fellow sophomores Lillian Brown, Kylie Flewelling and Skye Holmes are also expected to contribute.
Senior Lydia Chapman (pole vault, sprints) and junior Aubrey Costello (sprints) are newcomers who are expected to compete at the varsity level.
Coach Kemna also expects a large group of freshmen to make an impact. They are Adrianna Adams (distance), Reagan Bevis (throws), Emma Brown (throws), Brenna Bryand (throws), Beclynn Garrett (sprints, javelin), Bianca Haulman (sprints, middle distance), Edith Holmes (sprints, middle distance), Kimora Linny (sprints), Ariana Mendoza (sprints), Rylyn Moritz (sprints), Madi Olson (throws), Novendrea Samuel (sprints), Audrey Sims (throws), Lauren Sullivan (throws), Lexie Wasson (sprints), Hale White (sprints) and Chloe Wood (distance).
Wood and Riley Kemna qualified for the state cross country meet this past fall, finishing 45th and 77th, respectively.
Coach Kemna said her team’s strengths include great leadership, positive attitudes and a great work ethic.
“Our numbers are up and athletes are supportive of each other,” she said. “This will help us reach our goals by improving PRs and finishing stronger than last year as a team at meets. I think winning is important, but also is the process of tracking growth.”
Coach Kemna added there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the program ahead of Friday’s season-opening home meet.
“Right now, I don’t have a lot of concerns, but I am interested in the personality of the team as a whole and how it develops as the season progresses because there are so many new faces,” Kemna said. “Based on what I’ve seen so far in the first few weeks of the season, I’m optimistic that we will continue to be positive and work hard. I can’t stress enough how the girls who were here last year are contributing to setting the tone of working hard and being supportive of each other.”
The Wildcats will host the Harry Lineberry Open House on Friday, with the action scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
