Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond Boys Track returning letterwinners are, left to right, Front row: Cayne Reed, Grant Webster, Kase Baker, Drew Szalat and Zach Loerts. Middle: Zach Smith, Sean Flattery, Grant Heldorfer, Isaac Landwehr. Back: Anthony Lacina, Quinten McCarville, Hayden Mayer and Cael Kolacia.

Donn Larson is hoping a roster dominated by upperclassmen will help bridge the gap for the St. Edmond boys track program after the gap year of 2020.

Larson has seven seniors and 11 juniors to work with as the Gaels look to find their rhythm again under Larson, the CYO’s top boys coach two seasons ago in his inaugural campaign at the helm.

“I think the entire senior class in particular is really strong,” Larson said. “We have a lot of versatility and athleticism there. When you miss an entire season (due to the global pandemic), you lose not only repetition, but the maturation process of having a year to compete. So with 18 kids between the junior and senior class, that’s a great starting point.

“We’re just appreciating the opportunities we get and taking things one day at a time. We won’t really know how we stack up until we get into (live) meet (action). But I’m anxious to see how it goes. I like not only the talent we have, but the makeup and chemistry of the roster.”

Former state qualifiers Sean Flattery, Kase Baker and Cael Kolacia return for their respective senior seasons. Baker competed in the 200 and sprint medley as a sophomore in Des Moines two years ago. Flattery participated in the 4×2, 4×4 and sprint medley. Kolacia was in the 4×200 and distance medley.

Larson is also seeing flexibility from Grant Heldorfer and Anthony Lacina, while Parker Oswald and Brock Stanek are back with the program for their senior years.

“Sean, Kase and Cael are going to score a lot of points for us,” Larson said. “We can use Grant and Anthony in quite a few different spots. Brock is out for the first time since his freshman year, and he’s looking solid in the field events.

“Parker golfed the last two years, but is back with us. He’s still raw from a track sense, but has a really high ceiling and has a ton of flexibility in his talent. He’s making up for lost time.”

Juniors Hayden Mayer (mid), Drew Szalat (mid) and Aaron Lursen (distance) are showing promise according to Larson, along with sophomores Braydon Smith (sprinter) and John Nemmers (field). Larson also touted the progress of juniors Quinten McCarville (high jump) and Isaac Landwehr (hurdler).

“We need some guys to step up in the 400 and 800,” Larson said. “There are some question marks, of course, but I like the progress we’re making.

“We lost a lot of time as far as track training goes. The kids are in good condition overall, but it’s different specific to the sport. We’re still getting back into track shape.”

Other juniors vying for time in varsity events include Connor Lawton, Grant Webster, Zach Loerts, Cayne Reed, Zach Smith, Blaine Brennan-Rowe and Emillan Gaxzia.

Larson will be assisted by Cory Naughton.

St. Edmond opens on Monday in Greene County. The Gaels are at Earlham on Tuesday.

2021 ST. EDMOND BOYS TRACK

ROSTER

Seniors — Grant Heldorfer, Sean Flattery, Kase Baker, Cael Kolacia, Brock Stanek, Anthony Lacina, Parker Oswald.

Juniors — Drew Szalat, Hayden Mayer, Quinten McCarville, Connor Lawton, Isaac Landwehr, Grant Webster, Zach Loerts, Cayne Reed, Zach Smith, Blaine Brennan-Rowe, Emillan Gaxzia.

Sophomores — Braydon Smith, John Nemmers, Aaron Lursen, Joe Touney, Tyler McDowell.

Freshmen — Leo Ehn, Denny Ehn, Thomas Cosgrove.

SCHEDULE

March 29 — at Greene County; 30 — at Earlham.

April 6 — at Eagle Grove; 9 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 12 — at Dodger Relays; 15 — at Manson Northwest Webster; 20 — at Webster City; 22 — at South Hamilton; 27 — at Manson

Northwest Webster; 30 — at Hampton-Dumont.

May 6 — at Hampton-Dumont; 13 — at state-qualifying meet.