DECORAH – Although he doesn’t expect his boys track team to bid for the Northeast Iowa Conference title, Coach Chris Lentz expects his squad to be “competitive” in numerous events this spring.
    “Like other spring sports, we haven’t had a lot of good outside weather and that has limited development,” said the veteran coach. “We have some strengths and I think we have some guys who will develop once we get a chance to get at it.”
    Not only has the weather hampered workouts, but the few meets that have been held have been in less than ideal conditions with wet, cold and windy conditions not unusual.
    Last week the team placed fourth out of eight teams entered in the Co-Ed Invitational at Decorah, trailing talented Charles City, Osage and Decorah.
    Competitors in field events for the Cadets include: B.J. Praska in the high jump, an event he won at Decorah with a jump of 5’10”; Cody Stika in the shot put, second at Waverly with a throw of 41’5”; and Ben Obermann in the long jump, fifth in two meets with a best of 18’7”.
    “Adam Praska has the size to be a good weight man, shot and discus, but he needs to work on technique, which has been hard to do this spring,” said Coach Lentz. 
    In the sprints, the Cadet coach is looking to David Hoehne and Obermann to score points. Hoehne won the 100 meter dash at Decorah with a time of 11.75, the same time Obermann clocked when he placed high at Waverly. Bryce Campbell is another sprinter, running the 200 meter dash.
    “I’m looking for Brandon Kerian and Andrew Mashek to make some strides in the 400 meter race and help us with the relays, too,” continued Coach Lentz. Both Kerian and Mashek finished in the top eight in the 400 meter dash at Decorah. Also expected to help the team in 400 meter races, including relays, is Mitch Kriener, a senior sprinter.
    Handling the longer distances are two veterans off the Cadet cross country team, Brian Fravel and Derek Hruska. Fravel has two 800 meter victories to his credit, winning at Decorah in 2:09.29 and at Waverly in 2:08.84. Hruska placed in the 1600 meter event at both Waverly and Decorah.
    There are five seniors, nine juniors, 10 sophomores and 13 freshmen on the varsity track roster.
    “We have a good group of boys out for track and they are working hard despite the weather,” concluded Coach Lentz. “The weather hurts the most in some of the skill events, like the discus and relays. We just haven’t been able to put in the time outdoors that we would like. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get it going in time for the conference meet, but we are running out of time.”
    The NEIC boys’ track meet is at Oelwein on Monday, May 5.
    The boys, along with the girls’ track team, will be hosting the Crestwood Co-Ed meet at the Cadet track meet tomorrow (Thursday), if the weather cooperates. Field events are to begin at 4:30 p.m. with the running events set to begin at about 5:30 p.m.