By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
With nearly 100 athletes out for the combined squads, the Burlington High School track and field squads both hope to finish among the top three teams in the Southern Lakes Conference this spring.
Trent Tonn, in his fifth season as head boys coach, has 53 boys out for his squad, while Dan Luneau, in his seventh season as head girls coach, has 43 girls out for that squad.
Both Tonn and Luneau noted that Lake Geneva Badger and Waterford are the top two teams in the SLC, although other SLC squads have some top athletes.
Demon girls
With losing only six seniors from last year’s squad, Luneau sees his team’s experience as one of the strengths of the girls’ squad.
“Most of the underclassmen from last year are back,” Luneau said.
This year, Luneau has 10 seniors, 13 juniors, nine sophomores and 11 freshmen out for the squad. Of those, 12 are returning letterwinners.
Leading the way will be seniors Audra Weis and Hannah Wills, and junior Katie Sorensen.
“Audra is one of our strongest sprinters and one of the area’s best pole vaulters,” Luneau noted.
Weis has made a couple of trips to state, and medaled last year in the pole vault, placing sixth.
Wills is a three-time sectional qualifier in the long jump.
“She’s learned a lot over the last three years and her experience will help our team,” Luneau said.
Sorensen had a break-out season one year ago in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. She was a sectional qualifier in the 300.
Promising new athletes for the Demon girls are Meta Ehlen in the middle distance events, Emma Fettig in the sprints and jumps, and Alyssa Wawrzniakowski in the prints and jumps.
Luneau said his goal is for everyone who starts the season to finish the season.
“Most kids will tell you that the indoor season is pretty strenuous,” Luneau said. “If they can stick it out until after spring break, and if they can stay healthy, most kids will tell you that April and May are pretty fun.”
“I’m excited for this season,” Luneau added. “We may not have the biggest team (numbers wise), but I’m 100 percent confident in the ones we have. I know they will give me everything they have this season.”
Demon boys
Of the 53 Demons out for the boys’ squad, 16 are seniors, 15 are juniors, 14 are sophomores and eight are freshmen.
Leading the way will be senior Max Shenkenberg, who went to state last year in the triple jump, finishing 22nd overall.
Tonn sees the jumps as the boys’ strength, and lack of experience as a team weakness.
“Many are new to track,” Tonn said. “We need to gain experience.”
Tonn noted his goal is for continued improvement by the athletes throughout the season.
Although seven inches of snow last week have impacted the number of practices for both squads, Tonn indicated the practices the teams have had have been productive and that enthusiasm is running high.
Coaching staff
Luneau and Tonn have seven assistant coaches.
Matt Buteyn has been coaching track and field at BHS for 17 years and is the high jump coach.
Jason Bousman is in his seventh year with track and field at BHS and is the hurdle and triple jump coach.
Rick Koceja is in his 34th year with the teams and is the distance coach.
Pole vault coach Adam Cook is in his 12th season, sprint coach Donna Keown in her second year, and distance coach James Koceja in his third year.
Jake Popanda, a student teacher at BHS, will help with the throws this season.
Both squads will kick off their season at the Wisconsin Lutheran Indoor Meet held Saturday, March 16, at UW-Parkside.
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