by Leo Wilenius

For the first time in its existence, North Woods High School fielded a

boys and girls track team under its own banner. Grizzlies track athletes

had been pairing with the team from South Ridge School, however,

increasing numbers of participants warranted going solo. Despite going

it alone, the Grizzlies showed surprising depth.

Boys coach Brett Brodeen noted, “Our athletes did an awesome job. They

put in the work throughout the year and the benefits showed with many

PBs (personal bests) and a good showing in section meets. We had

fabulous senior leadership (Alex Burckhardt, Vince Kajala, Lou Panichi,

Talen Jarshaw, Aidan Hartway) whose positivity trickled down to all our

student athletes. Senior captain Aidan Hartway missed qualifying for

state competition in the 200 meters by 0.38 seconds.” Coach Brodeen also

added, “We had over 40 participants in track for students 12th-6th. It

was a great kickoff!”

The girls team is young with warranted optimism for the future. Girls

track coach Jenny Burnett said of her team, “The girls worked hard while

trying out numerous events to determine a best fit for their efforts.

They improved consistently over the season and competed in 10 different

events at the sub-section meet. We had two seniors, Amber Sopoci and

Mya Kinsey. Junior Izzy Pascuzzi qualified for section finals in the

long jump and 200 meters while freshman Aubrey Olson-Stoltenberg

qualified in 400 meters. The girls recorded PBs in every meet this year,

which rewarded the work they put in.”

Section 7A – North Sub-section Meet held at Mesabi East May 22

Boys Results

Boys 100 meters – Aidan Hartway 6th 11:55 (winning time 10.96)

Boys 200 meters – Aidan Hartway 2nd 23:55, Andrew Hartway 10th 25:27

(winning time 23:18)

Boys 400 meters – Andrew Hartway 4th 55:84 (winning time 53:35)

Boys 800 meters – Alex Burckhardt 6th 2:17 (winning time 2:00)

Boys 1600 meters – Lincoln Antikainen 1st 5:02, Alex Burckhardt 2nd

5:03, 12th Kahlil Lightfeather-Spears 5:35

Boys 3200 meters – Lincoln Antikainen 7th 11:15 (winning time 10:34)

Boys 110 meter hurdles – Vince Kajala 7th 20:67, (winning time 17:49)

Boys 300 meter hurdles – Vince Kajala 10th 50:15, (winning time 43:96)

4×100 relay – (Talen Jarshaw, Vince Kajala, Lou Panichi, Aidan Hartway)

6th 48:72 (winning time 44:66)

Girls Results

Girls 100 meters – Izzy Pascuzzi 12th 14:21 (winning time 12:47)

Girls 200 meters – Izzy Pascuzzi 8th 28:96, Corra Brodeen 17th 30:65,

Lauren Burnett 21st 31:56, (winning time 25:29)

Girls 400 meters – Aubrey Olson-Stoltenberger 7th 1:07, Britton Koskela

24th 1:18, Grace Bundy 25th 1:20, (winning time 56.42)

Girls 800 meters – Britton Koskela 19th 3:07 (winning time 2:29)

Girls 1600 meters – Britton Koskela 13th 6:38 (winning time 5:20)

Girls 4×100 relay – 4th 57:40 (Corra Brodeen, Carsyn Burnett, Aubrey

Olsen-Stoltenberger, Brynn Chosa). (winning time 52:83)

Girls 4×200 relay – 6th 2:03 (Lauren Burnett, Izzy Pascuzzi, Britton

Koskela, Corra Brodeen) (winning time 1:53

Shot Put – Amber Sopoci 8th 27’ 7” (winning throw 33’ 3”)

Discuss – Alice Sopoci 29th 48’2” (winning throw 111’ 8”)

Long Jump – Izzy Pascuzzi 4th 14’7” (winning jump 15’1”)

Also competing this season – Mia Kinsey, Britton Lappi, Anna Nelson,

Kallie Nelson, Josie Gibson, and Tessa Burnett