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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Raiders have the pieces to continue success
10 key seniors departed last season that helped bring a state championship in 2023
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG— It’s been a pretty good stretch for the Williamsburg boys track and field team these past few years.
From a third-place team finish at state in 2022, to a state championship in 2023 and a ninth place finish last season, the Raiders have had plenty of team success.
You can also add in three individual and two relay championships to go along with nine other events taking home medals.
The Raiders will attempt to continue that wave of success but will do so with some new pieces.
“We are replacing 10 seniors from last year's team that won the Class 2A championship in 2023,” Williamsburg coach Matt Matthes said.
“It will be tough to replace the production and leadership from last year's seniors, but we still have some pieces that can make this season successful.”
The team qualified for state in 12 events last season and placed in seven, scoring 26 team points.
Several state qualifiers from last season do return this season.
Rayce Heitman, an eight-time state qualifier, placed fifth in the 400-meter run and was a leg on the team’s runner-up sprint medley relay.
Grant Hocker was a leg on the team’s qualifying 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relays. Finn Brummel also returns this season for the team’s 4x800.
Adam Arp, a four-time state medalist, returns after sixth- and seventh-place finishes in the 100 and 200 wheelchair.
“With only four seniors on this team, we will need the underclassmen to develop quickly with our rugged schedule,” Matthes said.
Depth has been a key for the Raiders as they qualified five relays last season and hope to do the same this season with some new faces filling in for the departed seniors.
Getting points in the field side of things will also be key for the Raiders when it comes to competing in the WaMaC conference. The Raiders finished runner-up last season.
Trenton Davies, Grady Wetjen and Dylan Weisskopf are a few field athletes to watch.
“Our goals for the team will be to finish in the top half at the WaMaC supermeet, and qualify as many events and individuals to state as possible,” said Matthes.
“I think we have the talent to place and win events at the state meet as well.”
The Raiders opened up their season at the University of Dubuque Indoor meet Tuesday.
Albert Bamrick high jumped six feet for a second-place finish. Grady Wetjen (55m), Dylan Weisskopf (shot put) and the 4x200 relay all placed eighth.
The WaMaC indoor meet will be Tuesday at Grinnell College, and the outdoor season opens up for the Raiders April 4 at Vinton-Shellsburg.
