Photos by Sam Thiel Left: Pictured is the Canby/Minneota girls track and field team. Front row (L to R): Grace Hansen, Nohemi Diaz, Harper Groenhoff, Alexis Schrupp, Karlie Wollum, Claire Stoks, Lillie Wollum, Natalie Stoks, Josie Frank, Ryann Karsten and Emma Jerzak. Middle row (L to R): Alexis Wollum, Elysa Wollum, McKenzie Ruether, Emylee Drietz, Mariah Buysee, Grace Hennen, Braelyn Merritt, Brooklyn Kindopp, Sydney Hemish, Cheyenne Milbrandt. Back row (L to R): Grace Drietz, Aidyn Bruns, Hannah Jelen, Mackenzie Janiszeski, Gabby Harding, Rachel Harding, RyAnn Hansen, Delaney Houseman and Natalie Bach. Right: Pictured is the Canby/Minneota boys track and field team. Front row (L to R): Damien Villella-Shroeder, Allen Maldonado, Vance Marty, Matthew Agherabi, Hunter Danielson, Joshua Choa and Eli Thovson. Middle row (L to R): David Carrasco, Logan Myre, Sam Sckorczewski, Kolton Duis, Zach Ourada, Ryan Siedschlag, Gavin Maynard, Isaac Guza and Caleb Danielson. Back row (L to R): Tristan Bierschenk, Tucker Thooft, AJ Josephson, Conner Sik, Blake Stoks, Joey Heideman, Joseph Anderson, Ty Stoks, Trevor Gray and Joseph Wollum.

CANBY — In 2019, the Canby/Minneota boys and girls track and field team saw a lot of success, with multiple athletes competing at the state meet. After not being able to compete last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lancers will look to repeat that success under coach Sara Hemish.

Hemish said one challenge going into this season is how they will use their athletes in meets, especially after having to replace two senior classes.

“Figuring out where to best use everyone,” Hemish said. “We are basically replacing 2 senior classes and the younger students have grown and changed a lot in that amount of time.”

Boys

On the boys side, the Lancers will have seven returners, led by AJ Josephson, Blake Stoks and Ty Stoks. Hemish said they’ll look to rely on their veteran experience as well as a strong freshman group this season.

“For the boys we have a handful of senior high boys that are very talented and add to them a very solid freshmen class that will contribute significantly this year,” Hemish said.

Hemish added her expectations are to keep building with the underclassmen and try to get as many of their veterans to state as they can.

“For the boys we will build with our young guys and try to put our older guys in position to have a chance to compete at the state level,” Hemish said.

Girls

On the girls side, the Lancers will have 10 returners, led by Grace Drietz, RyAnn Hansen and Braelyn Merritt. Hemish said in addition to their two seniors, they’ll rely on their juniors to help lead the way.

“For the girls it would be our junior class. We have had good numbers in that class since they were seventh graders and many of them have competed for us for several years,” Hemish said. “We also have strong numbers across the board on the girls side.”

Hemish added she expects them to make a run at repeating as the Conference and True Team section champions and get as many individuals to the state meet as they can.

“We hope to repeat as Conference and True Team section champs as well as get a few individuals to the state meet,” Hemish said.