March 6, 2019 at 12:42 p.m.
Spring has sprung?
Despite snowy landscape, RHS track team begins preparation for upcoming season
Spring has sprung?
It seems somewhat counterintuitive with feet of snow on the ground, and a high temperature that struggled to reach the single digits Monday, but the spring sports season has begun. It kicked off at Rhinelander High School Monday afternoon with the first official track and field practice of the year.
Aaron Kramer said more than 50 athletes - roughly a 3-to-2 split of boys to girls - are out for this year's team, up from last season. The second-year head track and field coach at RHS said it's great to get underway, though the conditions outside are anything but springlike.
"It's a chance to see the new kids, new track team," Kraemer said of the team's first practice, which was held primarily in the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium and adjacent Aspirus Community Fitness Center.
"It's a chance to see veterans come back and assume a different role on the team, leadership role on the team. It's exciting to see over 30 boys out this year and an emerging group of girls," Kraemer added. "All the veterans we had last year, they're back and ready to go. It's exciting to see them all here with a smile on their face and ready to compete."
Kraemer said the first day was about reacquainting the athletes and coaches - as there are a mix of returning and new faces on both fronts. Also, like last year, Kraemer said no matter which events athletes eventually specialize, the focus early on is sprinting.
"Just like last year, we're working on the sprint foundation for our athletes, building explosion, sprint muscles and sprint form," he said. "That's what we're trying to get across with them. Then, just getting to know them too, letting them know who we are and what they can expect from the team."
Track has a little built in certainty that other spring sports do not have, given the indoor schedule that dominates the first third of the season. The Hodags are scheduled to take part in four indoor meets during the in the next few weeks, beginning with a quadrangular at Wisconsin Rapids next Thursday.
"I think the transition is good for the kids," he said. "It gets them to see their numbers, to compete right away and where they stack up to the rest of their team, and the rest of the conference too."
The coaching staff assisting Kraemer is a little different this year, and has grown a bit. Former RHS head football coach Chris Ferge is back on staff and will primarily work with the throwing events. Melissa Krueger, who is also the assistant RHS cross country coach, returns to work with the distance runners.
Former RHS head track and football coach Jim Moore is back on staff this year, working primarily with the jumpers and pole vaulters.
"It's always good to have a coach who's been on a staff before and here in the school as well," Kraemer said. "That presence during the school day is important. He's just a great addition to our staff and I'm just happy that he's able and willing to help us our this year."
Former RHS track athlete Alex Monk and assistant middle school track coach Moria King will be working with the team's hurdlers this spring.
"I think we've built a staff that's going to be successful for our kids and, hopefully build an excitement and build relationships with the kids that will continue to build our numbers moving forward," Kraemer said.
Track and field can begin practice the earliest of any of the WIAA-sanctioned spring sports. Softball teams begin practice this coming Monday. Pitchers and catchers for baseball can report this Sunday, followed by full team instruction beginning March 18. Girls' soccer practice also begins March 18, with boys' tennis and golf practice beginning March 25.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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