Cedar welcomes new coach and plenty of talent

HARTINGTON — Cedar Catholic welcomed a new track coach this spring in Blair Kalin.

Kalin is no stranger to the Trojan and Lady Trojan track program as he held the same position across the street at Hartington-Newcastle High Schools for over three decades and the teams practice on the same track every day.

“It should be a smooth transition,” Kalin said. “I know these kids and they know me, we’ve worked together over the years, so it’s pretty normal.”

Kalin’s season got off to a bit of a late start as the Trojans were busy with a date in Lincoln for the state basketball tournament, so much of the boys’ squad hasn’t seen a lot of practice time.

“We have a meet Tuesday (March 19) so we’ll hit the track running,” Kalin said. “I know what’s coming back from last year and by the end of the season, we’ll have a solid team for the boys, while the girls will be a bit of a work in progress.”

The Lady Trojans have plenty of talent, just not a lot of experience.

“We’re trying to replace a 40-point-a-meet athlete in Laney Kathol,” Kalin said. “And there was a lot of additional talent last year that either isn’t out or graduated.”

What Kalin does have is a good thrower in Lexi Eickhoff, Lauren and Lynn Bernecker in the middle distance races, and Claire and Isabel Rolfes in the distance races.

He also has some inexperienced talent like Anisten Wortmann, who has proven on the basketball court she can compete and Kalin thinks that will translate to the track this spring.

“She’s nursing a bit of an injury right now,” Kalin said. “But when we get her going, she will really help in the sprints and the relays.”

As for the Trojans, another talented athlete may or may not compete on the track this season.

“Alex Kuehn is a great track athlete,” Kalin said. “I understand he’s got a little bit of an injury so at the moment, I’m not sure if he’s coming out or not, he would certainly help.”

What Kalin does know he has coming back is a lot of athletic kids that could develop into a good track team by the end of the season.

“Nolan Becker will lead the way,” Kalin said. “He is a quality performer and has experience on the big stage.”

He also knows what he’s lost from last season.

“You take away Carson Noecker, Jaxson Bernecker and Carson Arens and you’re replacing 40 to 60 points each meet,” Kalin said. “We’ll get it figured out.”

Becker along with current teammate, Matt Loecker, and former teammates, Noecker and Arens, won a Class C gold medal last season in the 3,200-meter relay.

Kalin expects Becker and Loecker to score points in the middle distances this season and be involved in the relays.

Jared Rutar has looked good early in the throws, and Adam and Alex Elks are looking good in the distance races.

Aaron Wortmann returns after qualifying for last year’s state meet in the high jump.

Cedar Catholic will enjoy some home cooking this season as they will compete in three of four consecutive meets at the Hartington Community Sports Complex after the Dan Lennon Invitational which ran March 19.

The Trojans and Lady Trojans will be home for two of their own meets March 26 and April 9 sandwiched around the Hartington-Newcastle Meet April 2 and a trip to Homer April 5.

A meet in Tyndall, S.D., is set for April 16, and the Pierce Invite is scheduled for April 18.

The Norfolk Classic will run April 25, and the Mid-State Conference Meet is April 27 at Boone Central in Albion.

“The conference meet will be tough,” Kalin said. “The Mid-State is full of good track teams and good track athletes.”

The C-4 District Meet will be hosted by Cedar Catholic here in Hartington, with the state meet scheduled for May 17-18 at Burke Stadium in Omaha.