Goertzen, Buller return for GHS track and field

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 27 March 2012 15:09

The Bluebird track and field team will rely on the experience of returning state qualifiers Ali Buller and Tia Goertzen. Pictured are seniors and letter-winners, back row (from left) Tia Goertzen, Alex Schmidt, Ali Buller; front row, Grant Flaming, Makaila Schmidt and Brittny Czarnowsky.

Returning state qualifiers Tia Goertzen and Ali Buller will set the pace this season for a young Goessel track team.

“We are looking forward to a good year again,” said coach Chad Guhr, who returns for his fifth year at the helm.

Goertzen, a junior, will be competing in the triple jump, 100-meter hurdles and the 4x100, while Buller, also a junior, will compete in the 4x400.

They will be aided by seniors Alex Schmidt, Brittny Czarnow­sky and Makaila Schmidt.

“I’m looking for some good things out of Makaila Schmidt and several other younger girls,” Guhr said.

The girls’ squad added four freshmen this spring: Chelsea Stika, Tara Race, Erin Brubaker and Makayla King.

Because of the smaller number of athletes, “strengths for the girls will be the individual events,” Guhr said. “With two returning state qualifiers, we are looking for the girls to have another good year.”

Junior Grant Flaming returns as the only letter­-winner for the boys.

“I’m also looking for some good things out of Alex Schmidt, Bruce Benjamin and several other younger guys,” Guhr said.

Freshmen joining the ranks this season are Aaron Woelk, Conner Davis, Dane Kruger and Darren Hammond.

“The strengths for the boys will be the individual events this year in the distance races,” Guhr said.

“With no state qualifiers returning, we will be looking for younger guys to step up and fill the roles from last year.

“There are also several others that are looking to have a strong year.”

The Bluebirds get their first chance to test their mettle April 3 in a Central Kansas Track League meet at Bluestem.