Low on numbers, but high on work ethic.
In a nutshell, that’s how Waupaca Comet girls’ track coach Joel Kempfert summed up his squad, which will open the 2011 season Friday, March 18, at the Stevens Point Invitational.
“It’s a small group this year, but the work ethic is good,” he said. “They’re excited to get outside and get going.”
The team’s distance runners have been outside since practice began March 7, but the rest of the team didn’t work out outside until this week.
Returning letterwinners are seniors Jacci Cuff and Caylee Spindler; juniors Taylor Davidson, Abbey Lazers, Cydney Pufahl and Paige Taber; and sophomore Katherine Haen.
Cuff, Spindler and Davidson are team captains.
“Taylor came in last year off of a basketball injury, but she’s come in stronger and is ready for the season,” Kempfert said. “The more experienced athletes are doing a good job with the new kids. It’s kind of iffy now to say where our strengths will be, but we’ve got that work ethic. What that means is we’ll be able to improve throughout the season.”
Kempfert uses the early-season indoor meets to find what girls fit in each event.
“The big indoor meets are like practices,” he said. “We’ll use (the Point meet) to find a couple of different relays and try to get a good base. Now, we’re working on the basics to get our conditioning down. My goal is to get our relay teams together early.”
Kempfert expects Little Chute, Freedom, Appleton Xavier and Clintonville to be in the mix for an Eastern Valley Conference championship.
“Our main goal is to have a good time and develop throughout the season,” he said. “The running skills and training is something you can use your whole life.”
Waupaca Comets
2011
Track Schedule
Friday, March 18 – at Stevens Point Invitational (girls only), 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – at Stevens Point Invitational (boys only), 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 24 – at Merrill Invitational (boys only), 4:15 p.m.
Monday, March 28 – at Oshkosh Invitational (girls only), 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 31 – at Oshkosh Freshman/Sophomore Meet (boys only), 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 – at Wausau West Invitational (girls only), 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 – at Badger Invitational, Whitewater, 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12 – at Freedom Invitational, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 14 – at Wautoma Invitational, 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 – at Little Chute Invitational, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, April 19 – vs. Ripon, Clintonville, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26 – vs. Fox Valley Lutheran, Appleton Xavier, 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 30 – Waupaca County Meet at New London, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 3 – at Winneconne Triangular, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, May 5 – at Waupaca Vic-Tree Invitational, 4 p.m.
Monday, May 9 – Waupaca Relays, 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 12 – at Nekoosa Invitational, 4 p.m.
Monday, May 16 – at Eastern Valley Conference Meet, Appleton Xavier, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 19 – at EVC Freshman/Sophomore Meet, Berlin, 3:30 p.m.