By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Hillsboro hopes to rely on experience to advance in five sports this spring.

Track

Hillsboro track and field coach Demetrius Cox has laid out a plan for each event this season.

“We are enthusiastic about the potential of each event group and look forward to a successful season ahead,” Cox said.

The sprinting team is focusing on refining technique and boosting speed to dominate in short distances.

Mid- to long-distance runners are expected to excel as a group of girls who performed well last season return to the squad.

Cox is optimistic about the team breaking personal records in the high jump as team members work on improving their form and approach.

Long and triple jumpers are focusing on technique and explosiveness.

Shot put and discus athletes are building strength and perfecting their throws. Reaching new heights while retaining consistency is the goal for Trojan pole-vaulters.

“Their dedication is expected to pay off with impressive vaults,” Cox said. “With inexperience, the javelin team is concentrating on form and power to maximize their throws.”

On the boys’ side, key returners include Preston D’Albini, Ira Davies, Seth Driggers, Jesiah Gooch, Angel Rivera, and Anders Weisbeck.

“Their experience and leadership will be crucial,” Cox said.

Owen Dalke, Aaron Hein, and Aaron Paulus are expected to make an impact as well.

On the girls’ side, key returners are Jaidyn Frantz, Quinlyn Funk, Emily Gilkey, Addison Jost, Riley Richert, and Abbi Williams.

“They bring a wealth of talent and experience,” Cox said.

D’asia Cox and Jemma Just will look to enhance the team’s performance.

The Trojans first meet of the season will be Tuesday at Solomon.

Baseball

Third-year coach Daniel Moss returns to Hillsboro this season with four returning athletes: Nash Dickinson, Zayne Haslett, Aiden Hurst, and Dalton Philpott.

“Our biggest challenge will be our lack of experience,” Moss said. “We have three upperclassmen, with one senior that has had season-ending surgery.”

Other key players for the team will be Kyson Gawith, Jaeten Loewen, Jace Morales, Talon Regier, and Ashton Talkington.

“We graduated a lot of talented players last year, so we are a very young team that will rely heavily on sophomores,” Moss said. “We do expect to be competitive in a very tough Central Kansas League. We know we will have some growing pains but look forward to getting better every day.”

Moss has a few goals for the team: be more aggressive at the plate, commit fewer errors, and run like madmen on the base paths.

Moss wants to see his team steal more than 100 bases this season.

“This season, we will be looking to eliminate mistakes and win the close games,” Moss said.

The Trojans opened the season March 25 against Canton-Galva. Hillsboro won both games, 11-1 and 13-7.

The Trojans’ first home game of the season was played Tuesday against Hesston.

Their next scheduled game will be Friday on the road against Haven.

Softball

The Lady Trojans are down in numbers from previous years, with 13 girls signing up to play.

“All the girls have had experience playing prior to this year,” coach Alyssa Kroeker said.

Three of the 13 are seniors, six are sophomores, and four are freshmen.

Of the team’s three seniors, Cassidy Bernhardt will catch and play outfield, Skylar Voran will play first base, and Trysta Miller will be designated hitter and third baseman.

Returning sophomores are Abby Beavers, Chloe Dirks, Makenna Fenske, Khloe Funk, Cheyanne Plenert, and Brooklyn Thiessen.

The four freshmen are Britton Foth, Machenzie Schultz, Rylee Voran, and Kinsley Watts.

“The girls are excited to play,” Kroeker said.

Hillsboro ended last season 4-18 — a rough finish for players who invested so much time on the field.

“I think this helped gain momentum for this season,” Kroeker said. “A handful of them have put in time during off season to get better, which will benefit our program.

“Along with these improvements, the girls have brought positive attitudes to practice each day. This makes me very optimistic about the outlook of the season.”

The Trojans opened the season March 25 against Canton-Galva. Hillsboro won both games, 21-1 and 19-5.

The first home game of the season was Tuesday against Hesston.

The Trojans’ next scheduled game will be Friday on the road against Haven.

Golf

Coach Scott O’Hare will have his largest roster of athletes in 29 years of coaching golf for Hillsboro.

“It is a fairly young and inexperienced group,” O’Hare said. “Of the six upperclassmen, two of them are first-year golfers. The three juniors primarily played in JV events last season, and Lincoln Wichert is the only upperclassman who returns with a considerable amount of varsity playing experience.”

Wichert has played in every varsity tournament since he was a freshman.

He was a state qualifier and earned a top-20 medal at the 2A state tournament last year at Mariah Hills in Dodge City.

Other key golfers to watch are sophomores Braxton Hiebert and Nathan Hill. Each played in league and regional tournaments last year.

A few newcomers to watch are Reese Duerksen, Peyton Miller, and Ben Werner.

“Although we will be fairly young and have many kids untested at the varsity level or even in competition golf,” O’Hare said, “I am encouraged by the numbers and excited to have an experienced state medalist in Lincoln Wichert leading the way.

“Having just started golf his freshman year and earning a state medal as a junior, he has experience and knowledge in what you have to do to improve in a short time.

“I think we have a group that could improve quickly, allowing us to form a competitive group of six golfers that can realistically compete at the varsity level.”

The Trojan golf team will tee off for the first time this season Friday against Sacred Heart in Salina.

Tennis

Hillsboro tennis will return four players from last season and include two rookies.

“All four returners have varsity experience they’re going to build on,” coach Grant Shewey said.

This is Shewey’s second season coaching.

“We’re looking forward to getting some solid experience early on in this season to be competitive as we approach the league and regional meets,” he said.

The team practiced for most of March. The first meet of the season is scheduled for Tuesday in Lindsborg.

Returning players are Colton Rempel, Luke Isaac, Casen Steinert, and Jace Forkner.

Newcomers are Gavin Bennett and Trevin Rogers.