How does the end of one season bleed into the next? Can a group of young men rise up from the end of a state-qualifying streak? Is a comeback in the cards for the boy’s distance track team?

Over the past four years, South’s boys’ distance track and cross country team has been decorated with achievements. Two-time state qualifiers as a cross country team, multiple individual first-place wins for distance track events, Andrew Rebholz with 2023 state honors for cross country, multiple distance track state-bound runners, and more. 

The drastic change of smiles and awards to a disappointing end to the 2024 cross country season makes this group of determined young men hungry to get back on the track for this spring season, according to Rebholz.

“I think the people on the team are pretty hungry cause they didn’t really meet their goals and I think they really want to meet their goals this season,” said Rebholz

This year looks especially different for Rebholz because of a disappointing stress fracture in a vertebra in his back, which led him to put a temporary stop on his running career. 

“I’m not running track this season ’cause I’m injured, and so I couldn’t get cleared to do it,” Rebholz said.

Rebholz isn’t the only one on the team who has undergone struggles. A decrease in motivation has been exceptionally challenging for senior Katriel Schjenken, increasing the team’s fight for their previous reputation.

Schjenken elaborates on his struggle with staying driven and dedicated to training.

“The motivation has gone down so much. Last track season, I was on it…I just had so much motivation, but it’s all gone downhill,” he said.  

Junior Dean Ullom also shares his previous health troubles, making this track season his opportunity to meet his long-term goals.

“Last track season, I had back problems that I had to go to the hospital three times for, so this time, hopefully, I’ll have no injuries and be able to run without any problems,” Ullom said. 

Despite previous setbacks, the new head coach, Blair Porter, openly shares his many hopes for the team this year.

“I hope that everybody runs a lot of personal bests, I hope that we can put at least 12 people under 5 minutes for the mile, and I hope that we can have a 4×800 and 4×400 relay that at least qualify for sectionals,” he said. 

He’s not the only one longing for success. Many of the team members share their optimistic view on this year’s track season, leaving some with contagious motivation to meet their goals and take back their praised persona.

“I’m extremely motivated. I need to prove the haters wrong, and I need to run as fast as I can,” said Ullom.

Junior Lance Rothlisberger discusses the shift in his mindset to learn from his past mistakes for a more successful track season.

“To be honest, I’m more motivated because I know that last year I had it in me [to succeed] and that I can carry that motivation into this year,” said Rothlisberger

Many wonder how a team that has gone through such hardships can be so motivated to get back out there with such optimism. Sophomore Sanjay Manteuffel reveals it’s team unity that motivates everyone to be consistent in their own training but also care about the overall success of the team. 

“I think in a way we are all leaders. We’re all gonna have specific moments that really show leadership, cause we all have these different special characteristics and strengths and talents that will shine through at one point in a leader position,” Manteuffel said. 

Strong team unity isn’t the only thing lifting these athletes’ spirits. Their very own teammate, Schjenken, is seen as a strong leader and a great example of consistency, according to Rebholz. 

“Katriel’s a really good leader just cause he’s a really good example in consistency,” said Rebholz.

Ullom agrees, describing Schenjenken as a respected member of the team and an influential role model.

“I see Katriel Schjenken as the only real leader; the whole team respects him as a person and is willing to listen to him,” said Ullom.

Manteuffel adds that Schenjenken is supportive of the team as a whole, making him seen as a strong leader.

“I think Katriel [is a good leader] cause he’s really strong and supportive,” said Manteuffel

There is no telling what is in store for the boys’ distance track team, but these setbacks leave them hopeful for the 2025 season.

“This track season is gonna be great, even though we didn’t train over the winter, I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Schjenken said.