2 letterwinners return for Centre track
Staff writer
Centre returns two letter winners, junior Micah Carlson and sophomore Jaycee Stika, and four others on its track and field team.
“Our numbers are not large, so competing for team titles will be nearly impossible, but we seek to see daily and weekly improvement in the performance of all our athletes,” coach Alan Stahlecker said.
Carlson developed well in longer sprints during 2025 and knocked 2.5 seconds off his personal record in the 400 meter run while competing at regionals.
“We are preparing him for a big breakthrough in all his events with a mixture of speed and strength training,” Stahlecker said. “His experience and dedication make him the natural leader of the team.”
Stika progressed in hurdles and long jump, placing sixth in hurdles and narrowly missing the finals in long jump at regionals during 2025.
“We look for her to lead the way for the girls with continued development of speed and strength,” Stahlecker said.
Other returners on the team are sophomores Cameron Howe and Sarah Barlow.
Howe will compete in three events — the 1600, javelin, and shot put.
Barlow will run the 100 and 200 and compete in the long jump.
“Barlow developed her speed in 2025 and accumulated the most personal records on the team,” Stahlecker said.
The remainder of the team members are freshmen Colby Diepenbrock, Scott Hinkson, Jace Helmer, and Kathrine Rziha.
“All of the freshmen were competitive in their events in junior high and will look to make the jump to high school competition with a great deal of hard work to continue their development,” Stahlecker said.
Stahlecker, with 16 years as head coach and 24 years total in coaching, will be joined by a new assistant, Thieen Antoszyk.
Antoszyk ran for Stahlecker between 2004 and 2006 and qualified for state in the 4x800 relay in 2005.
The Cougars will open their season Tuesday at Remington.
“We are trying to develop new interests and possibilities for each of the athletes while helping to improve and strengthen them in the events they have experience,” Stahlecker said. “There is some hope of putting together a relay for the boys, though that will be a challenge since two of our five boys have throwing events as their primary.”
Golf
Last year’s state qualifier Easton Glessner will be Centre’s golf team this season alongside new coach Kelley Whitley.
“I am excited about the outlook for Easton this year,” Whitley said. “He is doing great at practice, and we are working on making sure to relax while focusing on the individual holes on the course.”
Glessner will open his golf season this Thursday in Solomon.
“We are fine tuning things as we begin to start the season,” Whitley said.
Other sports
Centre joins Herington’s teams in baseball and softball and Marion’s team in swimming.