FAIRMONT – Fairmont track and field head coach Jesse Walters said last season was one of his most impressive from a coach’s perspective, based on end-of-year results, record-breakers and individual success. After looking at what this Cardinal team accomplished, he’s not kidding.

Both programs had a combined record of 69-7 and placed third in the Section 2AA True Team meet at Bob Bonk Track. The boys and girls would finish third and fourth at the Big South Conference Championship, respectively, with the boys picking up 29.5 team points at the MSHSL Men’s Class AA Championships, good for 10th best in the competition.

On top of this, there were 13 new school records and 32 total additions to the top 10 marks.

“In my time here, it was one of the more impressive ones as far as athletic accomplishments,” Walters said. “It’s hard to read through all that [the accomplishments] because it seems to dilute it because of the amount of incredible things. You just get one or two of those in a year, and it feels like you’ve had a lot of success.”

Photo by Jake Olson: Row 1 (Front Row) L to R: Jadyn Montgomery, Ellie Perkins, Kendra Blomster, Lexi Fuller, Aspen Wickert, Addison Toothaker, Madi Thompson, Annie Reyelts, Lianna Weber, Mataya Weber, Audrey Nemmers Row 2: Addison Lintelman, Marley Perkins, Ady Laven, Vaedah Werner, Lauren Zarling, Nathaliah Johnson, Ella Wubbena, Makenzie Gerhardt, Leamonie Wilson, Amara Pleas Row 3: Qwynn Healey, Avery Steuber, Emelia Klanderud, Abbie Simpson, Addison Folkerts, Piper Crookston, Hannah Gries, Kaylee Kloeckner, Liliana Hill, Kaylin Schutz Row 4: Delaney Klug, Raelynn Meyerdirk, Natalie Griffey, Madisyn Javers, Lidya Gronewald, Harlee Fastnacht, Emersen Jackson, McKenna Ludacer, Sophia Streit, Annabelle Watson, Amiyah Dunn

However, the familiar faces of Nelson Remington, Oliver Tordsen and Macy Hanson will be missed going forward, as each athlete placed at least first or second in their respective events at the state meet.

Fortunately for Walters, the Cardinals are set to bring back a good variety of returning talent and will look to make their mark across the southern Minnesota track and field community.

“I know quite a few kids have some pretty high goals this year,” Walters said. “We all as a staff are helping them to get to those goals, and I think a lot of them have some realistic goals to end their year at the state track meet.”

The boys’ side of things will be powered by a strong group of field athletes.

At shot put, Tyler Bicknase, who placed eighth in last year’s Big South Conference Championship, brings back varsity experience to go along with Benet Mathiason at discus. Mathiason ironically placed eighth in that same event for his spinning toss.

Keyon Schutz, Reed Johnson and DJ Miller notched sixth, seventh and eighth place shot put marks in the season-opening Old SCC Indoor Track meet on Friday, March 20, in Mankato. This will only add to the group’s efforts to secure points, however they can.

“We have a lot of good depth on the throws,” Walters said.

Tytan Tumbleson is vying to reach more high marks this season in the high jump and triple jump. He placed second and seventh in those two events in last season’s conference championship meet. Jase Meade will join him in pole vault after qualifying for last season’s state tournament with his 12-5 mark in sections.

Fairmont’s long-distance rotation should once again have great depth for Walters and his coaching staff. Devin and Cole Hanson have plenty of experience in the 1600 after competing on varsity last season. Former cross country state qualifier Cooper Gudahl will bring his time in the grassy plains to the oval in many distance races.

The Cardinals also bring back three of the four contributors from last year’s state qualifying 4 by 800 team – Brier Lenort, Carter Hanson and Jordan Thompson.

“This is the most depth I’ve had in the distance crew since I’ve been here, and we’ve got a lot of good runners there,” Walters said.

Tavian Harvey began the season on the right foot in his short-distance races after placing first in both the 60 and 200-meter runs at the first indoor meet. Walters expects Dakota Wiley, Cole Brockman and Seth and Ethan Siebring to help boost the sprint team.

Sprinting will be the name of the game for the Cardinal girls, as this year’s team brings back four individuals who got experience in last season’s state tournament as part of relay teams – Madi Thompson, Mollie Leiding, Nathaliah Johnson and Addison Toothaker. Thompson ran in the 4 by 400, while Leiding and Johnson ran in the 4 by 200. Toothaker showed versatility, participating in both.

Ella Wubbena and Makenzie Gerhardt placed seventh and 13th in the 800 at last season’s conference meet and will help anchor the distance team. Delaney Klug and Kendra Blomster bring their cross-country expertise to the 1600 and 3200-meter escapades.

The standout of Fairmont’s field events will be Ellie Perkins and her impressive pole vault abilities. Perkins’ personal best mark of 11-6 earned her a fifth-place finish in last year’s state meet. Jadyn Montgomery joins her in the vault on top of other jumping events.

Addison Folkerts will hold down the throwing events with the departures of Ellie Ortega and Kennedy Becker. Folkerts placed second in discus in last year’s conference meet with a mark of 108.