Hillsboro track returns glut of state qualifiers

By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

Hillsboro High track has great expectations after the disappointment of a lost year as 14 state qualifiers return to compete.

These athletes competed as freshman and sophomores when the Trojans grabbed a runner-up win in 2019 and now are this season’s upperclassmen.

“We have a nice group of senior leaders,” coach Dennis Boldt said, adding that 20 girls and 16 boys went out for the team this year.

Returning for the girls team are Jessica Saunders, Sammie Saunders, Emersyn Funk, and Kinsey Kleiner, who each qualified for state competition in 2019.

Saunders placed 4th in the shot put and 6th in discus that year.

On the boys team, Nate Hein, Jared Janzen, Carson Linnens, Tristan Reed, Austin Rempel, Charlie Major, Dillon Boldt, Cole Kaufman, and Caleb Diener, are returning members who competed at state.

Boldt said both he and the team have high hopes because of the depth of experienced talent.

However, he still is cautioning everyone to be realistic about the prospects of athletes who missed a year of competition and training.

“We can’t expect to continue from where we left off two years ago,” he said.

“Rather we need to be disciplined and develop our speed and strength early in the season so that we can hit the marks we have set.”

Lifting and training are no substitute for competition regardless of the sport, he said.

His goal this year is to develop Hillsboro’s athletes throughout the season, so they are in top shape by the time they hit league, regional and state championships.

“There are simply no shortcuts,” Boldt said.

Hillsboro’s first track meet will be April 6 at home.