Gillett enters track and field season with balanced roster

Updated: April 21, 7 p.m.

The Gillett Secondary School track and field team heads into the season with a mix of talented athletes and new faces on the roster.

“Let’s just say it will be very interesting to see how the season unfolds as it will go well beyond the end of the school year,” said long-time Gillett coach Bill DeJung. “The attitude among most of the kids has been very positive going into the start of practice. We will be quite young and inexperienced in many events.”

The last time the Tigers were in action in 2019, the team had four individuals competing at the state meet. Three of those state qualifiers are back on the roster this spring.

Sylvia Hansen, Aubrey DeBauch and Derek Hanson are the three returning athletes, and all are heading into their senior seasons.

DeBauch will compete in hurdles and jumps for Gillett, while Hansen and Hanson are long-distance runners.

DeBauch qualified for the 300-meter hurdles at the 2019 state meet, placing sixth in Division 3.

Hansen turned in a seventh-place finish in the 1,600 and placed 11th in the 3,200. Hanson took 10th in the 1,600.

Hanson was named the District 2 Runner of the Year by the Wisconsin Coaches Cross-Country Association after this fall season. He made it to state and took fourth as an individual.

“While the length of the season certainly isn’t an issue, since it’s actually a shorter season, I could see this potentially coming into play,” said Hanson on potentially having to keep teammates motivated this season. “There’s only so much I can do as a leader to help motivate my teammates, as the majority of one’s drive is intrinsic. However, the other team leaders and I like to have check-ins with our teammates to see where everyone is standing both physically and mentally.

“I think continuing to maintain a positive, honest atmosphere with each other and our coach will help us physically by preventing injuries and mentally by avoiding any possible burnout. Thankfully, I’m a part of a wonderful group that has an astounding drive for success, so I don’t think I will really have to harp on us staying motivated throughout the season.”

Seniors Brandon Rodgers, Riley Engebretsen and Karissa Schaal and juniors Connor Hanson, Angela Mosconi and Amber Brehmer are also back with varsity experience for the Tigers.

Engebretsen and Connor Hanson were both on the 2019 sectional-qualifying 4x400 relay. Earlier in that season, that relay won a Marinette & Oconto Conference title.

Schaal was a sectional qualifier in the shot put and discus in 2019. She also turned in the M&O’s best marks in those events.

Mosconi qualified for sectionals in the 800 as an individual, while DeBauch also made it to sectionals in the 100 hurdles and Derek Hanson in the 3,200.

Junior Ryann Wagner will make her debut for the Gillett track team this spring after competing at Suring as a freshman. While at Suring, Wagner was a sectional qualifier in the 1,600, 3,200 and as a member of a 4x800 relay team.

Sophomores Alex and Evan Peterson will also compete in their first track and field season after helping the boys cross-country team to success the past few years.

Along with the boys 4x400 relay finishing first at the 2019 M&O Meet, Hanson also placed first in the 1,600 and 3,200. Hansen was the conference’s top girls runner in the 1,600 and 3,200, while DeBauch was tops in the 300 hurdles.

“Keeping everyone motivated this season to me means that I need to stay concentrated on setting a good positive example for my teammates,” said Hansen. “Also keeping the ‘family feel’ that has always been present on our team will be essential. I really believe that it is a huge component to our success.

“Reminding everyone of our goals frequently will be a key component to keeping everyone focused on the bigger picture. Lastly, bringing a good attitude to each and every meet and practice.”

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