By Reagan Hoverman

Although the Prescott boys’ track and field team has a small roster, the student- athletes involved with the program have produced at a high level and will likely be near the top of the Middle Border Conference standings again for the 2022 season.

Whereas the girls’ team graduated almost all of its top runners from last season, the boys’ portion of the roster not only returns an entire state relay team but has added depth in areas that it lacked last season. Prescott boys’ track and field coach Carl Calabrese spoke about the outlook for the season.

“On our boys’ side, we expect to have a much more well-rounded team than we have had in recent years,” Calabrese said. “Although our numbers are fairly small on this side, the amount of talent and work ethic these kids bring is strong. We hope to be competitive allaround at the conference and regional levels, as well as return a solid group of athletes to state.”

The aforementioned state relay group all returns, including seniors Andrew Lee, Grant Stanton, Kyle Budworth and Aiden Russell. Russell is also a returning state high jumper. Coach Calabrese spoke about other aspects of the team.

“Sophomore Josh Peterson had a very successful freshman season in the short sprints qualifying for sections in the 100-meter dash, and he is likely to see success this year,” Calabrese said. “We are also returning junior Tyler Loucks, a state cross country runner from this past fall who is looking to see some success on the track as well.”

While there is a lot of high-quality talent on the Prescott boys’ roster, there is also a great group of upperclassmen leadership – something that usually coincides with the best, most experienced student-athletes on the team. Calabrese spoke about some of that senior leadership.

“The leadership on our boys’ team is spread across the board,” Calabrese said. “Our team captains this year are Aiden Russell (sprinter/jumper), Andrew Lee (sprinter), Ryan Zerneke (middle distance), and Tyler Loucks (distance). All of these athletes are solid leaders in their work ethics and dedication to their team.”

Last season, the Prescott boys’ track and field team finished third in the Middle Border Conference standings. This year, with an improved, more well-rounded roster and a returning group of senior relays with experience at the state meet, Prescott is expected to finish at least in the top half of the Middle Border Conference standings.

For a team that has never won a conference title – neither the boys’ nor girls’ teams – the Cardinals are in a good position to make a run at Osceola, a team that has historically had success in the Middle Border. Part of Prescott’s success last season was the coaching experience. Calabrese spoke about his staff.

“We have a very knowledgeable coaching staff in all event areas,” Calabrese said. “Our staff is a group of individuals who get excited about the sport and pass that energy onto our athletes. We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with this year.”

The next event on the schedule for the Prescott boys’ track and field team is on Thursday, April 21, when the Cardinals travel to Ellsworth for the Ellsworth Varsity Invitational. That meet is slated to begin at 4 p.m.

Carl Calabrese