By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Hillsboro’s student-athletes have five sports they can participate in this spring: track, softball, baseball, golf, and tennis.

Hillsboro students also are participating in swimming as part of a cooperative effort with Marion.

Track

Seven state qualifiers and head coach Demetrius Cox return to the Hillsboro track team this season.

Nora Hein, Jaidyn Frantz, Addison Jost, Quinlyn Funk, Abbi Williams, Anders Weisbeck, and Angel Rivera will be looked towards to lead an exciting season.

“With a roster of dedicated athletes and a supportive coaching staff, we are confident in our ability to achieve success on and off the track,” Cox said. “We focus on improving individual performance, fostering teamwork, and striving for excellence in every event.”

Addison Jost was a state placer in the 800 last year.

Abbi Williams and Angel Rivera both placed at state in shot put.

The Trojans’ first meet this season will be Tuesday at home.

Softball

Last year’s regional championship team returns six players this season: Anslee Brewer, Cassidy Bernhardt, Keitra Edwards, Faith Cummings, Skylar Voran, and Bailee Gawith.

As of this moment, unfortunately, Gawith is on the injured list.

“Im excited for our newcomers this season,” coach Alyssa Kroeker said. “We have eight freshmen that will be joining our team. They have shown great potential and coach ability. All our returning players have shown improvement and leadership as we progress through the first weeks.”

The Trojans’ biggest challenge this season will be staying healthy.

“We are currently working through some injuries — some serious and some not so serious,” Kroeker said. “We had some season-ending injuries that occurred for some of our players, which are not something anyone plans for. A challenge for our team will be how to fill in those missing gaps.”

The goal this season for the Trojans is to become regional champions again and return to state competition.

Hillsboro’s first home game of the season will be at 4 p.m. Thursday against Abilene.

Baseball

Peabody-Burns cooperates with Hillsboro for boys baseball, and Daniel Moss returns for his second year as coach. Top returning athletes are senior Dawson Boldt, senior Zander Haslett, senior Logan Frantz, senior Dallas Whorton, and junior Nash Dickson.

Other key players come from Peabody-Burns: junior Cade Gossen, freshman Dalton Philpott, and freshman Aiden Hurst.

“After a disappointing season last year, we are looking to rebound and compete in a very tough Central Kansas League,” coach Daniel Moss said. “We have a very balanced team this year, and our seniors are ready to lead our pack and do whatever needs done.

“There is a lot of really good pitching in the league, and we are going to have to battle and hunt for ways to manufacture runs.”

The Trojans’ biggest challenge will be getting players to buy into the four pillars of the pack: Attitude, Approach, Intensity, and Toughness.

“Creating a culture where players are willing to sacrifice personal stats for the greater good of the pack,” Moss said. “With this mentality and foundation, together, we will surround and take down any adversity in our way.”

Some of the goals Hillsboro has this season are to improve every day, be more aggressive at the plate and on the base path, and commit fewer errors.

The Trojans’ first home game of the season will be Tuesday against Haven.

Golf

Senior Annaliese Jorgenson and junior state qualifier Lincoln Wichert are the top two returning golfers for Hillsboro this season as coach Scott O’Hare enters his 26th year as coach.

“Wichert was our top varsity golfer last season, earning top 10 finishes in a few regular season tournaments and he qualified for the 2A State tournament in Hesston,” O’Hare said. “Jorgeneson is our only other returning varsity team member. She played in all varsity tournaments last season as well and earned a couple top 10 finishes during the regular season.”

Overall, the team is fairly young and inexperienced.

“I am hopeful that a few returners and freshman will be able to contribute and allow us to field a competitive varsity group with at least four to six golfers, as four are required to compete for team scores in tournaments,” O’Hare said.

The Trojans biggest challenge will be working with a large group of athletes that have ranges of experience and ability.

“I think our primary goal will be to get to a point where we have two to four more golfers prepared to join in with Lincoln and Annaliese that have the skills and confidence to participate in 18-hole varsity tournaments,” O’Hare said. “We hope to see all of our golfers learn the basics of the game, become more familiar with the competition rules, and continue to improve throughout the season.”

The first match this season is set for Tuesday in Herington.

Tennis

Five guys are out for the tennis team this season, and all have at least one year of varsity experience. Lone senior on the team is Romero Cruz, who has been in singles competition the majority of his career.

Returning juniors are Luke Isaac and Colton Rempel, who competed as doubles partners for the last two seasons. Both will be playing singles this season as well.

Returning sophomores Casen Steinert and Landyn Johnson also played as doubles partners last year.

“Having a team of five has its pros and cons,” coach Grant Shewey said. “We aren’t able to fill a whole roster, which means placing at a meet will be difficult. However, it does allow us to get everyone on the team in varsity matches, gaining experience and improving upon skills.”

The season will continue with a match Tuesday in Lindsborg against Smoky Valley.