Girls track team not as deep, but still talented

New Prague’s girls track and field team is coming off an outstanding season, having competed at the State Class AA True team meet last year.

The Trojans return 18 letter winners from last year’s team. That includes three state tournament qualifiers, Kristin Busch and Katie Theisen, both in the triple jump, and Becky Theisen in the 100-meter dash.

Both Busch and Katie Theisen placed in the top five in state in the triple jump, giving the Trojans a strong one-two punch in that event. They are also top performers in other events — Busch in the 200 m. and Theisen in the 300 m. hurdles. Both were also on the 4x400 m. relay team as well. Becky Theisen also competes in other sprints, the discus and the 4x400 relay.

Other top returning athletes are Cathy Turner, all-conference last year in the high jump, Sara Gerold in the shot put, Jenna Nelson in the pole vault, Megan Wagner and Annie Connelly in the distance events, and Melanie Deutsch in the pole vault, high jump and hurdles.

The Trojans also have a number of athletes new to the team that coach Johnny Josephson expects to contribute. They include Shelbie Johnson in the pole vault, hurdles and sprints, Kimby Kukacka in the sprints and long jump, Jenny Hendricks in the long distance events, Rochelle Warner in the mid distance events, and Erin Sand and Emily Bisek in the pole vault and short sprints.

Coach Johnny Josephson said one of the strengths of the team is in the field events. We have great coaches who teach their events better than most in the state