“Lighting the fire” in West Hancock’s girls track team

Published by admin on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:10pm

The 2025 West Hancock girls track team. Front row (L to R) Ava Keiper, Emma Anderson, Vanessa Nieto-Mendez, Elli Christensen, and Isabelle Aitchison. Second row (L to R) Maribel Kronemann, Iselle Weiland, Chloie Noble, Aubrey Madson, Embree Witte, and Sienna Weiland. Back row (L to R) Coach Kamille Goepel, Tara Marchand, Charlie Bruggeman, Sophie Aitchison, Lauryn Johnson, Cami Haugland, Lily Kuppinger, Addison Friedow, and Coach Phyllis Jordanger. Picture from Mariah Hagen

By:

Ben Hassebroek

The West Hancock high school girls track team is set to begin the 2025 season alongside coach Kamille Goepel and assistant coach Maribel Kronemann. After a 5th place conference and 6th place district finish, Goepel is ready to work hard and motivate her team to make a strong showing this year.

Goepel believes that the team’s relays, some open events, and the long jump will be their biggest strengths going into the season. She is promoting a positive attitude and a mindset where excitement and victory motivate the team.

“I think we will have a strong team this year and be able to put together some good relays. I think the girls

have a fire lit within them and they are ready to show themselves!” says Goepel.

The returning athletes this year include sophomores Lauryn Johnson in Sprints and 400s, Ava Keiper in 400s and 800s, Cami Haugland in 4x1, 4x2, 4x4, sprints, Isabelle Aitchison in 400 and 800s, Sophie Aitchison in 400 and 800s, Haylen Broshar in 400 and 800s, and Lily Kuppinger in Sprints and hurdles; juniors Aubrey Madson in Long jump, 4x1, 4x2, 4x4, sprint med, some open sprints, Tara Marchand in Shuttle hurdle, open hurdle events, 4x8, Vanessa Nieto-Mendez in Open 100, 4x1, 4x2, 4x4, Sprints, Charlie Bruggeman in 1500 and 2 mile, and Keira Hanson in Hurdles and some sprints; and seniors Elli Christensen in 4x8, open 800, 1500, Addison Friedow in Shot and Discus, and Sienna Weiland in 4x8, open 800, shuttle hurdle.

Newcomers this year include freshmen Iselle Weiland in all events, Embree Witte in High Jump and sprints, and Chloe Noble in Shot and discus and sprints.

Returning state qualifiers and placers include Aubrey Madson, Vanessa Nieto-Mendez, Cami Haugland, Addy Friedow. Top returning district/regional finishers include Aubrey Madson, Vanessa Nieto-Mendez, Cami Haugland, and Addy Friedow. Top returning conference placers include Aubrey Madson, Vanessa Nieto-Mendez, and Cami Haugland.

With athletes competing in multiple events and with multiple state qualifiers and placers returning for the season, coach Goepel is confident that the team will make a strong showing for the season.