Every year, freshmen join the track team, hoping to one day be the best in their event. For some, that “one day” came earlier than others.

The 2015 track team at has gained about 12 freshmen on varsity, all of which are valuable to the team. Among those freshman are Joe Rohleder, Thomas Helten, and Heidi Asmussen. Rohleder holds varsity positions in the 400 meter race and long jump. He also participates in high jump and the 200 meter dash. Asmussen holds a varsity spot in triple jump, and the 100, 200, and 400 meter races. Thomas Helten is a varsity level athlete in triple jump, but also competes in high jump and long jump.

As you can see, the jumps area of track is one of many areas to be affected by all the new freshmen. This has proven to be beneficial to the returning athletes, as it motivates them to work harder so that they do not get beaten by an underclassman. Their coach, Mr. Mans, said that it is great that the younger kids push the older kids to be better.

Not only do the returning athletes enjoy the challenge of that the talented freshmen have brought, the rookies enjoy being guided by the upperclassmen. Asmussen said, “My favorite part of being on varsity is getting to know all the upper classmen.”