But depth a concern
International Falls’ boys track and field team brings senior leadership with it into the 2011 season, though head coach Paul Hjelle has concerns about a lack of depth in all events.
“We have a lot of seniors who should provide good leadership to our underclassmen,” said Hjelle, who is in his fifth season heading up the boys program. “They should be the ones to score a good share of our points.”
The top returning athletes include senior Shawn Filipiak, who qualified for the state meet last year in the high jump. Filipiak has already tied his best jump of 2010, 6 feet, 4 inches, when he finished first at Tuesday’s indoor meet at Bemidji State University.
Another top returner and state qualifier from a year ago is senior pole vaulter Jake Jensen. His vault of 13-9 at the 2010 state meet was good enough for a fourth-place finish. At two indoor multi-meets in 2011 he recorded second- and third-place finishes with his best vault being 12-6.
Senior Brandon Richards is also back after coming close to qualifying for state last year in the shot put.
“Shawn, Jake and Brandon were in our top three for points scored last year,” Hjelle said.
Hjelle said he is also counting on senior Reggie Gorden, who competes in the 800 run and has helped power the 4x400 and 4x800 relays this season, to “provide the necessary leadership both on and off the track.”
A key graduation loss from last season is sprinter and jumper Tim Myles, who qualified for state in the high jump and finished tied for fifth.
Hjelle said one of the goals this year is for the team to get better with every meet after entering the season with a lack of depth.
“We will have to be patient,” he said. “Hopefully some of the younger guys will step up and score some points for us.”
Hjelle said the team’s goals also include winning the North 7A Sub-section and being competitive at the Section 7A meet.
He said a team to watch out for this year is Esko, which “always has a good team.”
