Several state entrants, record holders return

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

While a late spring snow storm may force a slight delay to the start of the outdoor track and field season, there is reason to be excited for the upcoming season in Frazee. After all, the Hornets are not only returning several school record holders and state entrants from last season, but they are also preparing to open their new track facility when the snow finally subsides.

“We have some good numbers and are excited for the season. On the girls side, we have a lot of our leaders and our school record relays back for another season. We had a great finish at the state meet last year and have had a few great days of practice already this year. We are optimistic about a great season with good weather that will allow us to do more in practice. Plus, we finally have a practice facility as our new football/track complex was finished last fall,” said head coach Jim Jacobson. “On the boys side, we have a lot of youth and excitement, as well as some state participants returning.”

This season the Hornets are returning all four members of the school record 4×800-meter and 4×400-meter relay teams on the girls side. The 4×400 relay team, which included Brynn Larson, Elsie Ratz, Jayden Sonnenberg and Hailey Selly placed fourth in the state last year and will be back for another season. The same group also competed in the 4×800-meter relay last season. 

Larson competed in the state in the high jump and Ratz set the school record in the 800-meter relay with a time of 2:24.19. The team also had five academic all-state members last year.

Brady Crabtree will also return for the Hornets after setting a school record 13’ in the pole vault and competing in the state meet last year. 

On the girls side, the Hornets will return a bevy of experience including seniors Elsie Ratz in the mid distance/relays and Hailey Selly in the relays, triple jump and sprints, as well as sophomores Brynn Larson in the high jump, relays and sprints and Jayden Sonnenberg in the springs, relays, triple and high jump.

On the boys side, Frazee will return seniors Brady Crabtree in the pole vault and sprints, Brady Borah in the mid distance, Alex Helmers in the sprints/mid distance, as well as sophomore Tyden Schaefer in the pole vault and Jonah Sharp in the distance. 

While the team will return a number of seasoned veterans to the team, the Hornets will need to replace several key members from last year’s team including Kaidence Mayfield, Autumn Hiemenz, Bailey Larsen and Olivia Petron. In order to fill some of those positions, Frazee will turn to newcomers like junior Carter Sonnenberg who could make an impact on varsity this season. 

Jacobson said the Pillager Huskies and Pelican Rapids Vikings will both feature strong teams in the section and conference this season. 

The Hornets are scheduled to open the season on Tuesday, April 2 at an indoor meet at Bemidji State University. They are also scheduled to host a home meet on Thursday, April 4 at 4 p.m., which will be their first home meet in a number of years.