There’s a new head coach this spring for the Pequot Lakes Patriots boys’ track and field team as Brian Homan takes over a successful program that won the Subsection 6A, Section 8-2A and Mid-State Conference titles last season. The Patriots will also be moving to a bigger class (2A) and a new section (8-2A).
“We will have a nice mix of veterans and young athletes this year so I’m excited to see how we do in a new section,” said Homan, who has coached track for 12 seasons. “We are bringing back a number of athletes, and we will have to find people to step up to fill some spots.”
Homan said the Patriots have younger athletes working to step in for last year’s graduates.
“We have a large number of freshmen who have come through the junior high program and are ready to compete at the varsity level,” he said. “We also have a few new students that moved into the district and some guys that are trying track for the first time or returning to track after taking a break from track for a couple years.”
Last spring, the Patriots ran away with the Subsection 6A boys title as 14 athletes advanced to sections. Event winners for Pequot Lakes’ Cruz Megazzini won the 400 while teammate Ethan Johnson was second in the 3,200. The Patriots’ 4x800 relay of Dawsin Ackerman, Isaak Geroy, Jesse Clausen and Johnson finished first while the 4x400 relay of Caleb Davis, Vinny Sposito, Geroy and Megazzini were second. The 4x800 relay also finished fourth at the Class A state meet.
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The Patriots also won the Section 8-2A True Team track meet and the Mid-State track title.
Returning letter winners include: Dawsin Ackerman, Jesse Clausen, Vinny Sposito, Cruz Megazzini, Jaiden Biley, Lucas Ganley, Kal Larson, Charlie Schiessl, Garrett Wichner, Shane Crowley, Paxton Goddard, Eli Hall, Alex Kriesel, Riley Peters, Alex Stahnke, Wyatt Balmer and Micah Loukota. Others who could contribute include: Caleb Hill, Brady Davis, Tristian Veit, Cade Mudgett, Joe Kosloski, Nick Holmberg and Tommy Blomer.
Assistant coaches are Dave Guenther, Justin Franke, Bud Bjornaraa, Kathy Allen, Chet Stevenson, Jeremiah Duvall and Chip Taylor.
The Patriots are scheduled to open the outdoor track season with a home invitational at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 7.
Pequot Lakes track
April
7 - Pequot Lakes Invite 4 p.m.
14 - Pequot Lakes at Brainerd 4 p.m.
23 - Pequot Lakes Invite 4 p.m.
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28 - Pequot Lakes at Pillager 4 p.m.
May
3 - Pequot Lakes at Alexandria 4 p.m.
10 - Pequot Lakes at Fergus Falls (True Team) 12:15 p.m.
17 - Pequot Lakes at Park Rapids (Mid-State) 3 p.m.
26 - Pequot Lakes Invite 4 p.m.
June
1 - Pequot Lakes at Detroit Lakes (Section) TBD
