Goessel’s track teams will be anchored this season by two returning state medalists and four state qualifiers.

Brittney Hiebert, fourth in the 800 meters and fifth in the 1600 at last year’s state meet, will be joined by state qualifiers Olivia Duerksen, Jennifer Meysing, Julia Nightengale, and Lauren Rymill.

Coach Curtis Guhr brings back three-fourths of his 4x800 relay team in Meysing, Nightengale, and Rymill, needing to find just one more runner to have a solid shot at returning to state.

On the boys’ side, Zach Wiens returns for his senior season, looking to improve upon his fifth-place finish at state in the 110 hurdles.

The girls’ team is loaded with underclassmen, with letter-winner Aleena Cook the lone senior on a squad that Guhr believes will compete well in individual events.

“With five returning state qualifiers, several letter winners, and some new faces, we are looking for the girls to have another good year,” Guhr said. “With bigger numbers this year we will also be looking to put several relays together that should compete well.”

The boys will be bolstered by returning letter-winners Chase Flaming, Josh Schmidt, and Miguel Guerrero, who should provide leadership for a team poised to score well in individual events, Guhr said.

“We will be looking for these guys to step up,” he said. “Small numbers for the boys will make the individual events a key. We’re looking to the hurdles and sprints for most of our points, but also at opportunities in the distance races and the field events.”

Guhr, entering his ninth season as coach of the Bluebirds, was upbeat about overall prospects for his athletes.

“We are looking forward to a good year again at Goessel High School.”