Grizzly thinclads open new season in Burlington

The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies have a nice mix of returning veterans and newcomers as they prepare for the 2025 track and field season, head coach Tobee Christiansen reported this week.

The Grizz will open the season at the Burlington Invitational this Friday, with action beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Christiansen said there are 32 students out for track this spring, and practice started Monday, March 17, giving the athletes a week off from state basketball.

“We’re testing things out and getting our legs underneath us,” Christiansen said in a Friday interview. “We’re pinpointing events for some of our newcomers.

“It’s always exciting when your kids come back and are looking to build on their success from last year.”

Girls team

The Rocky girls will miss graduating seniors Kaitey Christensen, MacKelle Moss, Gwynff Bodtke and Rylee Winland, but they have strong sprinters, jumpers, throwers and pole vaulters returning.

Seniors Brittly Boettcher and Shelby Wambeke bring sprinters’ speed to the team and were two members of the school record 400-meter relay team from a year ago. Both ran the 100- and 200-meter dash, as well, in 2024, and Boettcher placed at State in the 100-meter intermediate hurdles.

Senior Elliahna Scheeler shattered the school record in the discus at the state track meet and returns in both the discus and shot put. The team also has experience returning in the pole vault with senior Tarynn Schoening and junior Keylee Christiansen placing at State a year ago.

Christiansen also returns in the long, triple and high jump, and sophomore Charlee Welling brings experience in the long jump and 200-meter dash. Sophomore Kaysie Cooley returns in the 400-meter run. Juniors Ellie and Evynn Alvarez return in the 400 and other distances.

Grizzly boys

 The Grizzly boys have a well-rounded team, Coach Christiansen said, with experience and strength in a number of events. Returning with experience are senior Hudson May in the 200-meter dash and 400 and 800 meters, senior Cole Minchow in the long distance races, senior Hayden Wambeke in the throws, juniors Will Fuller and William Watts in the 100- and 200-meter dash, Landon Pruett in the 200 and 400, sophomore Sam Loyning in the 400, 800 and 1,600, Fuller in the long jump and sophomore Joaquin Scheeler in the triple jump, high jump and throws.

Sophomore Dalan Wambeke returns after placing at State in the pole vault.

“We’ve got a pile of throwers,” Christiansen said, noting freshmen John Mader, Alex Walker and Cooper Winland and sophomore Kellan Jackson.

Coaches are Christiansen, head coach and running events, Daniel Robertson, pole vault, Ryan Boettcher, throws, and Colton Hodge, jumps.

Gaining experience

The Grizzlies may have a skeleton crew at the Burlington meet with prom taking place Friday night, and the following week is spring break, which leaves the April 5 Greybull meet up in the air.

As for team success, the Grizzlies may not have the numbers this year to compete for a trophy, but coaches love to see their athletes advance through the season.

“There’ll be some individual successes,” Christiansen said. “I love track for that reason. You compete against yourself. It’s a great life lesson to try and better yourself each week.”