Newark athletes have been doing fantastic for their first track team. It is amazing how far the team has come from start to finish. There has been a lot of fun throughout the season with the athletes.
"The athletes who are dedicated about being at practices and take the workouts seriously have all improved a great deal. I am really thankful for those athletes and we will need them to be leaders next year as the program continues," said Coach McCoy.
From March to the end of the year there have been several personal records that have been broken. Breaking your own time, distance, or height is not a very easy thing to do, and it requires a lot of practice.
A couple team goals for the year were for the athletes to break their own time, distance, or height. Another goal that the coaches had for the athletes was to learn how track and field functions as a sport.
Most of the athletes have worked hard to break their personal record. The 4x800 relay team with Remington Kempiak, Kyle Scott, Antoine Dalle, and Chance Weismiller has been running the relay for several meets now. At the Yorkville meet, they broke their record by ten seconds. At the girls only meet in Oregon, there were eight girls, and each girl broke a personal record in at least one event.
There was a girls IHSA Sectional at Seneca High School on May 13. Newark came in sixth place out of the 15 teams at the meet. Unfortunately, none of our athletes proceeded to state. Kylie Eike received third pace in pole vault. She jumped 7 feet 9 inches. Second place got 8 feet.
"Our lives would certainly be easier if we did have a track, but I think we have done a very good job of getting quality workouts and learning without one. Doc Schutt has measured out a lot of different distances throughout the community, and we implement them well. We also take advantage of the facilities at Cross Lutheran, which is a big help. I know that next year there will be much stricter policies on not attending practices that will help the program have more successful practice times and really determine who is dedicated to the process of getting better,' said Coach McCoy.
This year has been a great experience for Newark. The athletes had a fun time in practice and still managed to get their workout in. I personally am very thankful for Dr. Schutt and Coach McCoy for coaching and Mrs. Navarro for making it possible for Newark to have a track program.
By Remington Kempiak
KELSEA ZITT
Favorite Game: My favorite team to play is Seneca because it is always good competition.
Game day traditions or superstitions: I always have grape big league chew for each game.
Plans for Next Year: Butler University
SHELBY HODDY
Favorite Game: My favorite team to play is Somonauk, even if we don’t win we always play a good game.
Game day traditions or superstitions: Visit my car
Plans for Next Year: Internship in South Africa
DELANEY DREW
Favorite Game: My favorite team to play is HBR because Coach just let us play wherever we wanted. It was like playing 10U softball again.
Game day traditions or superstitions: Eating my mom's delicious PB&J's
Plans for Next Year: I'm planning on attending NIU to pursue a degree in speech pathology to become a speech therapist.
EMILY OLDENBURG
Favorite Game: Freshman year when Kelsea hit a walk off homerun. My favorite team to play is Somonauk.
Game day traditions or superstitions: Play catch with Klesea, wearing a certain pair of socks and a certain hair style.
Plans for Next Year: I plan on attending Aurora University to study nursing and play softball.
MEGAN DICLEMENTI
Favorite Game: Favorite softball game was my freshman year first game in the sectionals and Kelsea hit a walk off wonder that won us that game!
Game day traditions or superstitions: I always tie my cleats and then retie them, because it makes me hit better.
Plans for Next Year: I plan on attending Aurora University to study sports psychology/athletic training and play softball.
by Maddie Friestad
Thus far this season, the Norsemen are playing with a record of 9-7, with 7 of the wins coming from conference games. The Norsemen will continue their season with regionals beginning on May 16. Senior pitcher Kevin Klock said, "It’s been a fun season this far and I am really looking forward to see what we’re capable of doing this postseason."
The boys had a large victory on May 3 against the Royals of Hinckley Big-Rock, winning 11-0. You can visit the school’s website for further information on game times and locations, and we encourage you to come watch the Norsemen play some ball!
By Evan Schomer