WOODWARD — The track and field coaching duties at Woodward-Granger are more of a shared responsibility, with George Ashman focusing on the longer races and throwing events and Troy Martin — who takes over for Brent Achenbach — the sprints, for both the Hawk boys and girls.
One thing neither will have this spring is a thinclad boy from the Class of 2019, as no seniors are among the 23 athletes on the current roster.
W-G sent one event, the 4×400, to the state meet last season, but of the four runners only junior Bryce Achenbach returns.
He will be counted open in the 200 and 400 races as well as the long jump and might see 100 dash duties as well.
Almost the entire lineup is in flux, as the combination of shortened numbers, poor weather, spring break vacations and no indoor meet experience have restricted the coaches ability to begin piecing together the puzzle of a meet slate.
Relays will likely alter numerous times over the first few weeks as who-best-fits-where is discovered. The field events are also open for competition.
Among the point scorers in various events who return from last season are juniors Keith Braunschweig, Kaya Bowlsby, Jack Grell, Reese Jamison and Cale Pritchett, with Cody Garland, Andrew Anderson, Caleb Jones, Tate Lettow, Dylan Steele and Justin Wheeler also seeking varsity duties.
Kade Polich and Trevor Faltonson led an octet of sophomores that include Garrett Burkhart, Hunter Heard, Xavier Ibarra, Kris Kammerer and Logan Roll while Dylan Bird, Jerin Fridinger and Michael Miller are the three freshmen on the roster.
The Hawk boys begin their season Friday at the Winterset Relays, although on-site construction will have Van Meter serving as host site. Both W-G teams will compete at the Kip Janvrin Relays in Panora April 2 before hosting the Hugh Cavanaugh Relays April 4.
