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Adequate numbers and outstanding individual performances combined to create success for the North Branch High School track teams in 2006.

“I was very pleased to start the season with the numbers that we had out for the team, especially the girls,” said Viking head coach Brian Hasleiet. “It always helps in track to have a lot of people out because there are so many events.”

High school track meets have 36 events (18 boys and 18 girls). It takes a lot of athletes to fill the six running events, ranging from 100 meters to 3200 meters, two separate hurdles, four relays and six field events (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, discus and shot put). The size of the the team was one reason for the success of the squad.

The Vikings’ accomplishments were also linked to the outstanding performances of team members. Eight girls earned North Suburban All-Conference recognition. Another seven were Honorable Mention in the NSC. On the boys’ team, six were All-NSC and and three earned Honorable Mention from the conference. Only six of those athletes graduated this year. That means 18 will return for the 2007 season.

Coaches, like most of us, like to win. But, what they really love is effort. There’s nothing that brings more satisfaction than an athlete who works hard every day. “I was pleased with the way our athletes performed all year.  They always gave it their best and worked very hard in practice.  Both teams placed high in all of our big meets, which is what we always try to accomplish,” the coach continued.    

It always helps to finish on a high note. “We finished the season very nicely by sending a relay team to state (Aaron Cedergren, Ryan Norman, JJ Koerber, and Cody Good) and Nick Ramberg in two events (800 and 1600 runs). Nick placed eighth in the 800 and was named All-State. It was a very successful season for the North Branch Vikings track and field program,” Hasleiet concluded.

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