Despite losing a solid amount of seniors from last year’s roster, including 100-meter state qualifier Bear Kosbab, Carlson’s program is expected to grow further in attendance, with roughly 65 junior-high and high school participants set to go out.

Carlson credits last season’s graduating class, including Kosbab, as one of the influences in recruiting kids to try out for the sport. With them out of the picture, their hard work in setting a strong example and growing the program will be seen in this year’s roster.

“Bear Kosbab was the only kid that made it to state last year in the 100 [meter dash], but he was also a guy out there recruiting kids to get out there too, so he showed leadership in a lot of different ways,” Carlson said.

“Those people [last year’s seniors], I’m not worried about trying to replace them because they are who they are and did a great job. I’m trying to figure out what our kids can do this year and who’s going to be able to make this program work again this year.”

Photo by Jake Olson: Front (l-r) Brisley Gomez, Aliyah Frekking, Sandy Tomas, Mirta Gracia, Jocelyn Perez, Paige Hartwig, Alyyah Olsen Middle (l-r) Tayavia Moakhamphio, Kate Swanson, Dez MacMaster, Bree Paris, Thea Larson, Braelyn Borchardt, Safiya Forsberg, Ruby Roben Back (l-r) Maddison Lyon, Katelyn Kennedy, Ivy Monreal, Mylee Larson, Sophia Peterson, Inga Olson, Macie Kneeland, Jaylee Hanson No pictured; Hannah Cole, Candy Regules, Alsada Swanson, Elena DeLaTorre, Peyton Brandt,

Luckily for Carlson, a handful of returning athletes are bringing back experience and leadership to a team that will have just four seniors.

Lixon Forsberg is one of the returners expected to be a key contributor. Last year, he placed eighth in the triple jump at the MSHSL Section 2A Championships. He also competed in short-distance relays and field events, including the 4/100, 4/200, and long jump. MCW’s 4/100 team earned first-place finishes in the Sleepy Eye Meet, Fairmont Sentinel Relays and Tomahawk Valley Conference Championship.

Long-distance star Evelynn Christenson is hoping to use her 36th-place finish in this year’s Class A State Cross-Country meet to her advantage this spring. Christenson had a handful of impressive finishes last season that showcased her capabilities on the oval, including third-place marks in the 1600-meter run at the Sleepy Eye Meet and the Tomahawk Valley Conference Championship.

Outside of sprinters and distance runners, both the MCW/BO throwing groups should be poised for improvement after earning varsity experience the year prior.

Hank Olson put together top 6 finishes in the Tomahawk Valley Championship for shot put and discus. Tandem Sophia Peterson and Mylee Larson competed in every meet while combining for 23 top-7 scores in the field events.

Many of the other contributors this year will be a group of underclassmen vying to continue gaining experience at the varsity level. Carlson knows that every practice and competition they are involved in this season will not only benefit the present but also have major implications down the line.

“I think you’ve got more confidence when you know where you started,” Carlson said. “You start to question a little bit, ‘How high can I go?’ if you are at the top level, but for these kids, they work hard and are going to see the results of that.”

The Mavericks add a pair of coaches to their staff as the program grows, including former Big South Conference Champion Jazlyn Geerdes, who Carlson says can deeply benefit his athletes with her extensive experience in the sport. Jarvis Webber joined the team to help coach the throwers, while Stannetta Svoboda, the MCW boys and girls cross country coach, will remain in charge of distance running.