×

Fairmont throwers take aim at Relays gold

FAIRMONT — Since the beginning of the spring season, Fairmont Cardinals track & field head coach Bob Bonk has had high expectations for the throwing foursome of Theo Krumholz, Kade Fritz and brothers Walker Tordsen and Conner Tordsen.

“It feels pretty good because in past years, it hasn’t really been like that. It feels good to have him say that to us,” Fritz said about Bonk’s comments.

The four have lived up to Bonk’s expectations with at least one or more placing in the top two in both the shot put and discus at every meet so far this season. This has translated in the Cardinals having only one loss after six meets. Last week at Jackson County Central’s triangular, Krumholz won both the discus and shot with distances of 120 feet, 9 inches and 40-2, respectively.

“First and foremost, all four of those guys are really fine young men, really good citizens and good workers and just the kinds of guys you’d like to have as sons,” Bonk said. “Also, this is the best group of boy throwers that we’ve had in a long time, especially at a four-deep level.”

Krumholz, Fritz, Conner Tordsen and Walker Tordsen have come a long way and credit throws coach Brad Johnson for helping them reach their current level of success.

“He’s coached us since we were younger, so I think we can kind of see what he’s done to get us better and better and better,” Krumholz said.

“Coach Johnson’s a great coach to get along with,” added Fritz. “He’s pretty honest, too, so he doesn’t hide anything from you if you’re doing something wrong.”

Fritz, Conner Tordsen, Walker Tordsen and Krumholz also are friends off the field, which helps when they’re practicing and competing.

“We’re good as a unit. We all get along pretty well,” Fritz said.

The four also have found a balance between them. Where two may not be as strong, the other two make up for it, and vice versa.

“Probably Theo and Kade would be a little better at the shot and the Tordsen boys a little better at the discus. But they interchange some, too,” Bonk said.

The recent level of success couldn’t have come at a better time. Walker Tordsen, Krumholz and Fritz are all seniors. On Friday, they will compete with Conner Tordsen, only a junior, in their last Sentinel Relays. Field events at the Relays begin at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

“I think we all just want to place and do well for the team. Not necessarily place first, but place high enough where we can score points for the team,” Krumholz said.

Perhaps the team’s biggest, competition is Hutchinson. The Tigers are the three-time defending Relays champions.

“It’s always fun to face some better competition to really see where you’re at,” Fritz said.

“As nice of a spring as it’s been, our meet days haven’t overall been real nice. So it would be wonderful if we had nice weather for it,” Bonk said about the Sentinel Relays. “It begins the real big meet season in May.”

Once the Sentinel Relays are completed, the Cardinals will have four meets left before section competition begins. Until then, each thrower has individual goals they would like to achieve.

“(I want) to break 120-0 (in discus) and throw a little bit farther every meet and keep improving,” Conner Tordsen said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.65/week.

Subscribe Today