New Faces May Boost Freeman Track

Freeman track

Freeman High School’s boys track team last year finished third in state and the girls were five points away from a second top-four trophy finish.

The boys have half their 57 points returned and replacements for many of those who graduated.

“Our goal is to medal again,” said Freeman coach John Hays. “The boys should walk away with the league and with three teams gone, we should have a good chance at district.”

The girls have holes to fill to duplicate last year’s 34-point total.

But Freeman’s turnout is increased this year and in Laura Halverson, the Scotties have a two-event placing returnee.

Two teams from a district meet between Northeast A League and Caribou Trail schools qualify for state.

Boys have track events covered

Depth of speed covers a multitude of areas in track and field. And Freeman is blessed with sprint depth.

State placing 100-200 runner Bill DePell returns and, said Hays, could “very well be a state champion.”

Joined by fellow state placer Brandon Pratt, state placing long jumper Andy Miller, relay veteran Todd Reed and sophomore Jake DePell, the Scotties should be strong again in three short races, two relays and the jumps.

Distances won’t be bad either, even though two-event state champion John Russell graduated.

Cross country standouts Reid Carrell and Joe Halverson, new to track from baseball, provide ample talent.

“Reid is faster than John was as a sophomore by far,” said Hays of last year’s sixth-place finishing 3,200 runner. “Joe is just trying to figure out pacing. It’s a little different in track than cross country.”

There is even more distance depth behind them and hurdles will be adequate. The throws are a concern.

“A lot depends on our young throwers,” said Hays. “But we should get it done on the track.”

New challenges for distance ace

The evidence - two state cross country championships and second place at 3,200 meters in track - suggests that Laura Halverson is built for longer distances.

Her coach is not so sure. Hays is contemplating having her run 400, 800 and 1,600 meters races this year.

“She’s never really liked the two mile quite frankly,” said Hays. “We’re talking a possible five school records.”

Halverson has already run 2:24 in the 800 and a 1:02 400 in the cold this spring, about three seconds away from school records in each race.

Last year she ran 11:39 while placing second in state at 3,200 meters and ran 5:24.62 for fourth place at 1,600 meters.

“Laura is just unbelievable,” said Hays. “when we get closer to state we’ll see (which way to go).”

She is among four state veteran girls. The others, Lindsey Floch, Krista Freeman and Anna-lisa Foster competed on state placing relay teams.

“Freeman just missed state in the 200,” said Hays, “and Floch missed in the triple jump by an inch. I’m hoping they go.”

Foster, who has run 13.3 this year in the 100, is also a state hopeful in the open sprints as well as relays.

Two promising seniors, thrower Adrianne Bains and sprinter/thrower Mandy Cook, have returned to track for the first time since they were freshmen.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Track rosters

Freeman

Boys

Logan Charbonneau, sr. distances

Nolan Charbonneau, sr. jumps

Bill DePell, sr.sprints

Joe Halverson, sr. distances

Eric Hendrickson, sr. throws

Tom Ward, sr. sprints

Matt Goolie, jr. throws

Jake Johnson, jr. throws

Ben Lewis, jr. throws

Andy Miller, jr. sprints/jumps

Brandon Pratt, jr. sprints

Luke Provo, jr. sprints

Jeff Seehorn, jr. throws

Matt Baird, soph.hurdles

Reid Carrell, soph. distances

Jake DePell, soph. sprints/jumps

Chris Grubb, soph. distances

Nathan Parker, soph. throws

Todd Reed, soph. sprints

Dan Schrempp, soph. hurdles

Paul Takisaki, soph. throws

Paul Nonnemacher, fr.distances

Nick Jordan, fr.throws

Tyler Foster, fr.distances

Jake Hunton, fr.throws

Ben Swenson, fr.sprints

Kevin Scott, fr.throws

Brock Reidt, fr.throws

Freeman girls

Adrianne Bains, sr. throws

Mandy Cook, sr. throws

Holly Wheatley, sr.throws

Lindsey Floch, jr. jumps

Krista Freeman, jr. sprints

Laura Halverson, jr. distances

Holly Hanson, jr. jumps

Stephanie Bobiak, soph. hurdles

Shellea Dahmen, soph. throws

Shannon Deel, soph.sprints

Anna-lisa Foster, soph. sprints

Ashley Hippie, soph. sprints

Sally Chandler, fr. throws

Kjersti Evans, fr. throws

Mandy Floch, fr. distances

Maegan James, fr.throws

Sarah Leason, fr. throws

Sheena Stark, fr. throws

Tiffany Townsend, fr.hurdles