This year’s track season has started out quite rocky with all the snow and rain that the area has received in the last few weeks. The Red Raiders will kick off their track season on Tuesday, April 9th as they host the Wagner Relays with field events starting at noon.

This season’s team is coached by Patrick Belling, head coach, with assistant coaches, Jenny Zephier, Matt Slaba and Jason Knebel. Coach Belling has been coaching the team for the last three to four seasons.

Senior team members include Vincent Bechen, Owen Bekanich, Timothy Bouza, Jhett Breen, Aniyah Bruguier, Kya Kjeldgaard, Madi Knebel, Braxton Knudsen, Shona Kocer, Macy Koupal, Sabrina Kreber, Karstyn Lhotak, Riley Roberts and Caleb Zephier. Juniors on the team are Kahle Hill, Gabriel Houseman, Cadee Nelson, Parker Petry, Jackson Rolston, Presley Slaba, Carter Smejkal, Macee Stimpson and Lydia Yost. Sophomore tracksters include Addison Cuka, Shea Kjeldgaard, Gannon Knebel, Ashlyn Koupal, Brayden Kreber and Shana Lensing. Freshmen team members are Jessica Barnett, Ashtyn Bruguier, Mateya Bruguier, Trasin Dilts, Leon Fields, Hayden Fischer, Brianna Fuchs, Carlos Galindo, Benjamin Greger, Tyson Hare, Lane Havranek, Kieradyn Knudsen, AJ Kotab, Emma Kreeger, Roper Lhotak, Joson McKeegan, Beauregard Otte, Javian Pesicka, Damien Redlightning Jacqueline Selwyn, Lola Weddell, Hayden Wren and Jesse Zephier.

Last season’s highlights include Ashlyn Koupal winning her third consecutive high jump title and having multiple state meet qualifiers that placed at state. The goals for this season are to have even more athletes qualify and place at the state track meet with the hopes of winning more state titles. Coach Belling will be looking to Jhett Breen, Karstyn Lhotak, Kya Kjedgaard, Ashlyn Koupal, Caleb Zephier, Macy Koupal and Riley Roberts for leadership this season.

The track meets that will be the most challenging for the Raiders will be Yankton, Dakota Valley, Platte, Hanson, Howard Wood and the state track meet. There will be a high level of competition at all of these meets that will test the Raider’s skills which will better prepare them for qualifying for the state track meet.

As the head coach, Belling is looking forward to most this season being around the kids. This is a great group to be around, especially the seniors this season. Belling’s philosophy on building a successful team is that he wants the athletes to have fun and stay healthy. If they work hard and put in the time, they will see results.

Best of luck on the 2024 track season, Raiders!