RETURNING LETTERWINNERS FOR THE WEBSTER CITY BOYS TRACK TEAM are, front row (left to right): Lincoln Telke, Hunter Vue, Jack Barner, Aiden Hernicek, Ivan Lopez, Keegan Hisler and Luke Estlund. Back: Brandon Lahr, Landon Griffin, Jaxon Cherry, Cole Nohrenberg, Justin Callahan, Jayden Weinzetl and Jesse Crutcher.

There is a sense of optimism surrounding the Webster City boys track program this spring, as head coach Chad Hisler’s squad is buoyed by eight seniors and a shared vision of success.

The Lynx open their campaign this Friday in the North Iowa Indoor Championships at Clear Lake. It’s an early opportunity to see where Webster City stands before an 11-day break and the start of the outdoor season.

“We have really good senior leaders,” Hisler said. “They set the tone. Everyone on our roster is an important piece to the puzzle, and we do our best to let the kids know that. The seniors have helped build strong team chemistry, which we want to be a steady factor in this program every year.”

The sprinters are the anchors in the Lynx camp, led by the return of 4×100 state qualifiers Jaxon Cherry, Keegan Hisler and Jayden Weintzetl. That group — which teammed with the now-graduated CJ Hisler to establish a new school record time — was in the Top-10 last season for Class 3A, barely missing a spot in the finals.

“We have some really solid sprinters, with Jaxon, Keegan, Jayden, Luke (Estlund) and Aiden (Hrnicek),” Coach Hisler said. “They have talent and experience. We’ll have some options as far as what we want to do with (the lineup).”

Cherry and Hisler are seniors. Weinzetl and Estlund are juniors. Hrnicek is a sophomore.

All five have been to state.

Cherry, an Iowa Western Community College football recruit, was also in the Top-12 at state in both the discus and shot put a year ago.

“Jaxon is obviously just really good at everything he does,” Hisler said. “Keegan has been a four-year varsity track kid, and like Jaxon, has been to both Drake and state multiple times. Jayden, Luke and Aiden have a ton of talent and experience.”

Hisler, Estlund and Weinzetl were on the school-record sprint medley relay squad at the 2023 North Central Conference meet. Cherry was all-league in his two field events.

Sophomores Justin Callahan and Jack Barner are the squad’s main distance runners.

“They both keep improving, and are going to grow a lot over the next three years,” Hisler said.

The hurdlers and field-event participants are still being ironed out, according to Hisler. Lincoln Tielke is a four-year hurdler who “is going to have a productive senior year,” Hisler said. “It’s good to have him back as well.”

Senior Brandon Lahr medaled in the shot put during last year’s NCC meet.

“We’ll score our fair share of points this season. It may be hard for us to win meets, but I really like the overall makeup of this group.”

Landon Griffin, Spencer Callahan, Jesse Crutcher and Sam Youngdale are the other WCHS seniors.

This spring’s Lynx Relays are April 16. The NCC meet is in Clarion on May 2.

WEBSTER CITY BOYS TRACK

Roster

Seniors — Spencer Callahan, Jaxon Cherry, Jesse Crutcher, Landon Griffin, Keegan Hisler, Brandon Lahr, Lincoln Tielke, Sam Youngdale.

Juniors — Brian Alaniz, Luke Estlund, Jayden Weinzetl.

Sophomores — Cael Alexander, Jack Barner, Justin Callahan, Cody Elliott, Jacob Ewing, Jaxon Griffin, Aiden Hrnicek, Arlen Lake, Ivan Lopez, Nolan Nasso, Beau Nohrenberg, Cole Nohrenberg, Addison Punkham, Jamey Stansfield, Hunter Vue, Ben Youngdale.

Freshmen — Joseph Alexander, Luke Blake, Leland Eggers, McKinnon Flowerday, Kaleb Hansen, Salomon Inthisane, Landis Powgnas, Alex Staley.

Schedule

March 22 — at North Iowa Indoor in Clear Lake.

April 2 — at Umstead Relays in Eagle Grove; 8 — at Southeast Valley Invitational; 11 — at Saydel Invitational; 16 — Lynx Relays; 19 — at Pocahontas Relays; 23 — at North Polk Relays; 25-27 — Drake Relays.

May 2 — at North Central Conference meet in Clarion.