This year at Okawville High School, a new season of track and field came with many new members, a new coach, and a bit of new equipment. With past success and so many new athletes, the team has the potential to do big things this season.
For many on the team, this will be their first year competing in high school track, these members include: Jaelyn Going (So.), Will Tepe (Jr.), Savanna Meyer (Fr.), Madisyn Rennegarbe (Fr.), Gabe Charles (Fr.), Clay Maynard (Fr.), Kaden Buehler (Fr.), Zayden Cepeda (Fr.), Emil Galliano (Fr.), Sophia Wood (Fr.), and Michael Marler (Fr.). They also have quite a few returning athletes including: Nora Wood (Sr.), Lydia Luechtefeld (Sr.), Brianna Sweet (Sr.), Lauren Haacke (Sr.), Alyssa Statler (Jr.), Sidney Charles (Jr.), Payton Meier (Jr.), Paige Kolweier (Jr.), Nolan Frantz (Jr.), Kade Jackson (Jr.), Caroline Tepe (So.), Alivia Cochran (So.), Aubrey Krieger (So.), Ryker Obermeier (So.), Landen Shubert (So.), and Zander Hasheider (So.). New or old, all of the athletes are looking forward to the track season. “I am excited to get to know more people on the team and see how people will do this season,” said senior runner and thrower, Nora Wood.
The coaching staff is also very enthusiastic about the upcoming season. The staff is made up of returning head coach, DeAnna Holm, and new assistant coach, Mallory Unverfehrt. This is Mrs. Holm’s 20th year coaching track and field. She is very hopeful for the new season stating, “We have a very young team, so we are going to start at the beginning and see where everyone fits. I am really excited about my junior and senior girls [potentially] leading us back to state.” Although this is Mallory Unverfehrt’s first season as a coach, this is not her first experience with the OHS track team. She was formerly a mid-distance runner for the team until 2017 when she graduated. She was a very successful athlete in high school, helping her team earn 6th place in the 4x800m Relay at the IHSA State Track Meet. She went on to run Division I at Murray State University. She ran there for three years and eventually was able to help her team win the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 2019. The track team is very lucky to have such an experienced athlete as a coach. She will make a great addition to the team.
Along with new kids and a new coach, the team also purchased a few pieces of new equipment to help get their season off to a strong start. Using the money that the team raised, they bought a set of new hurdles, new shot puts and discs, and sleds for strength training. With this new equipment. the team is able to adjust their training to become more prepared for success this season.
Okawville is so proud of their track and field athletes. These kids are sure to do great things this year. Best of luck to them this season!
