“The goal is always to finish in the top half of the conference,” Looft said.

Some of the big pieces the Warriors lost this past year with graduation on both sides are Brennan Bollinger and Jacey Welbig.

Bollinger was a major anchor of the shot put and discus unit, helping North Union with points with constant high placements. He earned third and fourth-place marks in the 1A State Qualifying Meet in discus and shot put. Welbig was a strong long-distance runner who competed in the 800- and 1500-meter races, placing seventh in the ladder at the 1A State Qualifying Meet.

The boys and girls placed 8th and 7th, respectively, in the overall team scores at this event. There were 14 teams competing. Either side, however, returns enough varsity athletes to finish the season strong in both conference and state qualifying meets.

Photo by Kim Meyer, Bancroft Register/Swea City Herald Press: North Union High School Boys Track: Front row: Samuel Kirkegaard, Donnie Stevens, Kyan Walter, Edward Champney, Hunter Clendenan, Jackson Hutchinson, Donovan Harris, Carson Crouch and Lane Engelby; Middle row: Liam Eischen, Landon Manwarren, Khael Jones, Cooper Hoye, Casey Rezac, Gabe Whaley, Brayden Peta, Brekkyn Morphew, Max Heinen; Back row: Castor Kollasch, Drake Nelsen, Jakob Ernster, Hunter Geitzenauer, Greyson Colegrove, Taylin Jones, Noah Hersleff, Zane Vaske, Aiden Bauer. Not pictured were Traecer Starnes, Kade Madden, Bryer Lennon, Colin Kruse, and Carsen Gates.

Looft says one of the most impactful aspects of this year’s boys team is the amount of depth the roster holds. The Warriors have over 30 athletes come out for this team, which will help fill every event and help collect as many points as possible in meets.

Cooper Hoye and Carson Crouch highlight the short-distance runners with their solid outings in last season’s state qualifying competition. Greyson Colegrove and Jackson Hutchinson are two other names to mention in these events, but Looft says he has four other runners who will see time as well.

“We have a pretty solid group of eight to 10 boys who have really good speed. …we will be able to put some relays together,” Looft said.

The Warrior boys have a versatile group of athletes for the longer races. Aiden Bauer, Drake Nelson, and Collin Kruse will be able to race between 400 and 1600 meters. Landon Manwarren has experience from last year’s state qualifier in the 800.

“They give us some flexibility,” Looft said.

One thing Looft is excited to see in the boys’ field events is the returning jumpers from a year ago. Colegrove and Crouch placed third and sixth at the state qualifying meet as sophomores and freshmen, respectively. Both should be ready to improve going forward.

The departure of Bollinger left space in the throwing room for North Union. Looft’s group consists of eight sophomores who are gearing up for an uptick in varsity experience. While Hunter Geitzenauer got repetitions at last year’s state qualifier, the Warriors will have a young group overall.

Talent should be fairly evenly distributed across the girls’ team in all facets of the game. Each level of competition has one or two returning athletes whom Looft expects big things out of this season and beyond.

Briley Henriksen, Samantha Hoye and Marissa Nelson will be more than comfortable running the variety of needed sprints and relays for the Warriors. Henriksen and Nelson placed 11th and 13th at the state qualifier last season in the 200.

While Looft wants to add more depth to the long-distance crew, the return of Alexis Cummins and Alyssa Welbig will aid the early part of the season as other kids gain experience.

Cloey Anderson will help North Union with point collecting in her 100-meter hurdle event. Anderson got fourth in last season’s state qualifier. Nielsen also has experience in the event, alongside Anderson.

The girls’ throwing room will be highlighted by a pair of young athletes coming back from a solid season. Looft says sophomores Olivia Richardson and Myiah Hanson have looked sharp in the preseason to highlight the shot put and discus.