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Fresh off a mile interval and somewhat winded and rosy-cheeked, the kids running mid to long distance for the Vikings track team took a short break last Thursday, April 13.
The kids were training in the Grand Marais Rec Park. And while It’s often cold and windy at the Rec Park, it’s also relatively traffic free and flat, which makes it an excellent place to run intervals, especially when there isn’t a track to train on.
Viking Head Coach April Wahlstrom wasn’t just busy putting the kids through their paces; she joined them. She recorded a 6:02 mile while running the mile, which is pretty fast for someone with kids and a busy teaching/ coaching job.
April said 60 boys and girls are out for track this season. She can’t coach all of those kids alone, and she noted two volunteer coaches, Anton Moody (distance) and Chris Lavigne (sprints), who were invaluable to the program.
If the weather holds, track meets will soon begin and the kids will get to compete against area schools. Senior Ryan Christiansen is the returning conference champ in the 100 and 200 meters. MaCoy Fairbanks is only in ninth grade but shows good leg speed in the dashes. Brayden Schmidt, Tristan Surbaugh, Keean Selin, Haddon Taylor, and several other runners will anchor the distance events. In addition, Arlo Christensen and Lute Jansen will compete in the weight events, while Kaleb Berka and Rylan Brown will handle the long jump and triple jump, with kids mixing into the relays.
For the girls, Kalina Dimitrova will throw the shot and discuss, Zoe Kacures and Kylie Viren will do the long jump. In addition, Lexi Surbaugh will run the 800 and 1600 meters along with Emma Crook and a bevy of up-and-coming runners.
Genevieve Silence is the top returning quarter miler, but plenty of girls are ready to push her.
With 60 kids out, there will no doubt be some rising stars coming forward. But, for now, it’s time to continue to build endurance and speed while preparing for the bigger meets later this spring.
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