St. Croix's Track Team

St. Croix Lutheran High School The Crusader’s track season is in full swing with the strength of developed talent on the boy’s side and youthful ambition on the girl’s track team. The St. Croix boy’s track team will defend last year’s State True Team Championship and are hoping for a second State Championship. The Crusader guys are lead by Eric Spengler, one of the top 110 meter hurdlers in State, Tate Plath, who won both the 800 and 1600 in the first meet of the year, and Sean Herbison, St. Croix’s top thrower. Matt Dvorak is the returning State 100 meter champion who also anchors the state championship 4 x 100 meter team. Tyler Koester is the emerging sophomore speedster who is a close second to Dvorak’s power. Coach of the year, Brent Schacht commented, “Koester is a strong presence in our repertoire of sprinters. It has been great to see his power develop in the weight room and see the dividends of his hard work as he develops as not only an excellent 100 meter runner but also in the 200.” Koester is a strong competitor in the long jump and one of several athletes to join the program from Salem Lutheran in Stillwater. The Crusader girl’s team has strength in the younger grades including two 9th graders from Salem. Caroline Bachmann is a hurdler for the Crusaders and Jennifer Samuelson throws. Head coach Rachel Grev said, “We have a core group of dedicated 9th graders, and our athletes have been training in the off-season and it shows.” Liana Leyrer and Sarah Grundhoefer are the two seniors of the 40-strong squad. Leyrer competes in the 4 x 100 meter and 4 x 200 meter relay, the 200 and long jump. Grundhoefer hurdles and joins her fellow team captain in the 4 x 100 meter. The lady Crusaders will defend last year’s win in the Section 4A True Team Meet.