The Aberdeen Roncalli track and field teams are ready to embark on another season. This year’s teams will feature some new faces, as well as some that will bring back valuable experience.

The Cavaliers are also back in Class A after being in the Class B ranks last season.

Roncalli coach Brady Lesnar pointed to Jayden Munroe as an experienced athlete on the boys’ team.

“He had an excellent season last year,” Lesnar said. “He ran really well for us at the state meet, and hoping that he has a really good senior year.”

Munroe placed fourth in the triple jump at the state meet. He was also a member of the 1,600-meter squad that placed third at state. Munroe is already off to a good start this season, setting a new school record in the triple jump at a recent indoor meet.

“(He) broke his own personal record in just the first meet out (with) very little practice,” Lesnar said “He just finished basketball not too long ago and he ended up beating his personal best by two feet.”

Other boys athletes to keep an eye on include Brody Weinmeister, Maddox May, Caden Shelton, Paul Gutenkauf, and Kaden Larson. Weinmeister was also a part of the 4×400-meter team at the state meet.

Lesnar noted that May was injured late last season after having a stellar year in the 300-meter intermediated hurdles. He said May will be someone to watch this season now that he is healthy.

The Roncalli girls must replace one of their top athletes last season and bring back a ton of youth. The Cavaliers graduated Morgan Fiedler, who was a two-time triple jump state champion and also placed in the long jump and 100-meter dash at the state meet last spring. However, there are several girls ready to step into leadership roles for the team, including Jaidyn Feickert.

“We’ve got Jaidyn Feickert who has a little injury right now, and we’re hoping she can get back soon and perform for us,” Lesnar said.

Sarah Schmidt and Paige Schmidt were a part of several relay teams for the Cavaliers, as well as Madisen Martin. All three will be key in the Cavaliers success this season.

Lesnar says the weather has made it difficult to practice outdoors early in the season.

“We definitely hope that we’ll be able to get outside more,” Lesnar said. “We’re fortunate that we’ve been able to clear off our track (and) get some workouts on that. It definitely does dampen what you can do.”

Lesnar hopes that everyone can stay healthy despite the weather.

“You just be careful and make sure we don’t get anybody hurt, or just all of the stuff that comes with indoor workouts,” Lesnar said.

When asked what track meets he is excited for, Lesnar pointed to the first outdoor meet that his team can participate in, whenever that occurs. Both Lesnar and Roncalli athletic director Derek Larson have been keeping an eye on the weather, waiting for a chance to get everyone outside for a meet.

“We’re just looking at the 10-day and there’s only a few days that it gets above freezing, and possible snow even more, as always,” Lesnar said. “We might be mid-April before we get outside for a full meet, between snow being melted and fields being able to be used that aren’t slushy and full of water.”

Lesnar said there are pros and cons to the bad weather, with one of the pros being that the athletes will have fresh legs heading into the state meet.

Despite the weather, Lesnar has high expectations for his teams this season.

“It’s always an expectation that we’re competitive as we progress throughout the season, and that we grow and keep getting better at our events,” Lesnar said.

Lesnar also noted that he and his staff want to make sure that kids are being put in places where they can be successful.

“What that looks like can change from kid to kid,” Lesnar said. “It could be a first-place finish, it could be improving on a time, or just them at the end of the day excited with what they did and wanting to come back next year.”