Ozaukee returns strong teams

The teams that live by the motto “small but mighty” are just that once again at Ozaukee High School.

The Warrior girls’ track and field team has 13 athletes, three of whom return from a combined six Division 3 state-qualifying events last season. Seven are newcomers — six freshmen and one senior.

Fourteen boys are on the team, including three who were part of two state-qualifying events last year. Six are newcomers.

“We are still a small team compared to most. I would always like to have more athletes, but the ones we have are good kids, and I’m excited to see how much they can improve over the season,” coach Andrew Pfeuffer said.

“Our teams are working hard and learning a lot to start the year. So far, they are very receptive to coaching and they are heading in the right direction, which is all we can ask for as coaches.”

Pfeuffer looks forward to helping those new to the sport develop.

“I’m excited for all our new athletes this year because they are listening well, working hard and pushing themselves in practices. It should be fun to watch this group of athletes grow and improve,” he said.

Senior Brynn Meyer leads the girls after earning a sixth-place medal in long jump at state last season. She also qualified in triple jump.

Sophomore Becky Hoffmann is back after qualifying in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles, and she was part of the 3,200 relay team. Sophomore Clara McKee qualified in the 3,200 and was on the 3,200 relay.

Some of those same events may carry the Warriors again.

“Our field events and our distance girls will look to lead the way with strong performances throughout the season,” Pfeuffer said.

One of the team’s biggest losses to graduation was Delanie McFadden, who won two gold medals at state in the 200 dash in her career and set the school record in the event.

Among the other graduates are Grace Tinder and Kelley Large, the other members of the 3,200 relay.

Warrior girls get off to a fast start

Ozaukee finished fifth of 14 teams from Divisions 1, 2 and 3 at the Sheboygan North Invite in its season opener on Friday.

Hoffmann won the 55 hurdles in 9.83 seconds, and Adeline Utecht won the shot put with a throw of 33 feet, 6.5 inches.

Morgan Kirmse was second in shot put with 33-3.5.

That helped the girls to 49.5 points. Oak Creek won with 91.

McKee was fourth in the 3,200 in 13:29.99, and Addison Schubert was sixth in 14:07.32.

McKee was fifth in the 1,600 in 6:12.9, and Schubert was eighth in 6:19.3.

Meyer was fifth in the triple jump with 29-3 and sixth in the long jump with 14-4.75.

Hannah Bustamante was seventh in the high jump by clearing 4-8.

Hoffmann was eighth in the 800 in 2:52.5 and ninth in the 400 in 1:11.6.

Boys could get points from mix of people

Three members of the 3,200 relay that broke a school record and finished fourth in state last season are back for the boys: Owen Klaus, Andy McKee and Tyler Mueller.

“We lost Matt Baldwin to graduation from a year ago, but I think this could be an event we can look to as a strength again,” Pfeuffer said.

At state, the relay team finished in 8:23.83, breaking the school mark by nearly nine seconds.

Klaus also qualified for state in the 1,600.

“Our strength lies with our distance runners and discus throwers. However, we have a few new athletes that we are going to look to help contribute this season,” Pfeuffer said.

McKee, relay and Mueller lead Warriors

McKee started his season by winning the 3,200 in 10:46.17 against competitors from Divisions 1, 2 and 3 at the Sheboygan North Invite on Saturday.

That 3,200 relay with a different lineup took second place. Mueller, Aaron Nehls, Riley Borchardt and McKee finished in 9:18.92, less than a second from Slinger’s winning time of 9:18.35.

Mueller was second in the 1,600 in 5:02.1.

Those helped the boys to 21 points, good for 12th of a 14 teams.

Port Washington won with 59 points.

Borchardt was seventh in the 800 in 2:32, and freshman Brice Schueller was ninth in 2:35.8.

Nehls was eighth in the 3,200 in 11:09.46. Otto Utecht was 10th in the high jump by clearing 5-4.

The Warriors’ next meet is Thursday and Friday at Manitowoc.