Webley looking for return to state
By Mike Ramczyk
For the first time ever, the Burlington boys and girls track and field teams have cracked the century mark.
And they’re not doing it with a whimper.
In fact, a jaw-dropping record of 130 boys and girls are in the program for the 2019 spring track season, and fifth-year head coach Jason Bousman couldn’t be happier.
“Our numbers and depth are starting to form for the first time,” Bousman said. “We have over 100 in the program for the first time in our history. There’s a strong senior group to lead us.”
The Demons will strive to overcome the key losses of Megan Wallace, who is a back-to-back All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and pole vault specialist Brittny Ehlen, who took 12th at nationals this year.
The strong boys senior class this spring features long jump state qualifier Nick Webley, along with sectional qualifiers Jack Hartzel (sprinter), Jack Shenkenberg (sprinter), Lucas Zasada (sprinter/high jump), Josh Letkewicz (sprinter/triple jump), Nathan Bousman (throws), Brian Konz (throws), Wyatt Hayes (throws), Ben Voz (sprinter/triple jump), Kyle DeRosier (distance), Julian Luciano (sprinter/long jump) and Taylon Hensley (throws).
Key girls returners include seniors Kelsey Gelden (distance), Holly Reynolds (throws) and Emma Langley (throws), along with junior sprinter Mattie Stutzman and sophomore sprinter Amanda Viel.
Last season, the boys took fourth, and the girls landed fifth in the Southern Lakes Conference.
While Bousman said it will be a challenge to develop the young athletes in areas they’ve never been before, he says it will be a goal to contend for the conference title.
“It will take several acts of selflessness in order to put the program’s needs first for conference,” Bousman said. “It will take strong leadership to make sure we stay together, and it will take the underclassmen to follow our leadership.”
Other returning letter-winners are senior sprinter Dylin Sheetz, junior sprinters Sam Lois, Mollie Fox, Moises Medina, Trinity Northrop and Sydey Huisinga, junior Anya Kolano (distance/long jump), sophomore sprinters Zach Wallace, Kaden Blohm, Ethan Safar, Jessie Salaja, Ben Rummler and Katherine Weidner, and sophomore thrower Grace Kelly.
Bousman will be assisted by coaches Nick Brooks, Lucas Shenkenberg, Adam Cook, Biannca Clayton and Kyle Foulke.
Burlington opened the season at an indoor meet at UW-Parkside March 16.
The boys landed in 14th place.
With numbers at an all-time high, don’t be surprised if the Demons improve on last year’s conference finishes.
Schedule
(HOME MEETS IN CAPS)
April – 9: SLC Relays at Elkhorn. 13: at Milwaukee Lutheran Invite. 18: at Sauk Prairie Invite. 27: Racine County Invite at Waterford. 30: Racine County Invite at Waterford. May – 3: BURLINGTON INVITE. 6-7: Throwers Meet at Oak Creek. 10: at Oregon Invite. 14: SLC meet at Union Grove. 20: WIAA Regionals at Elkhorn.
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