SLAYTON — While the Murray County Central girls team saw a decrease in numbers for the 2025 outdoor season and the boys side saw an increase, both teams return a group of strong athletes in hopes to continue building off a successful start to the year. 

The girls team has gone from 25 athletes to a roster of 12 this season, while the boys grew from 34 to 43. 

MCC missed the state tournament last season as a team and in individual participants, but look to bring the Rebels back. The girls finished last year’s Section 3A championship in 14th of 22 teams, while the boys placed 20th. 

Of the athletes on this season’s roster, Anikan Larson placed fourth in the 200-meter race in last year’s section championship with a tie of 22.98. 

Carter Knakmuhs placed 11th in the 110-meter, while Torin ThunderHawk also finished 11th in the high jump. Caleb Rosenbrook also secured a three-way tie for eighth place in the pole vault event. 

On the girls side of those returning this year, Sophia Nelson took sixth in the section championship’s 800-meter with a 2:30.37 time.

The girls team will be looking to fill the void of Brylie Schreier, Jayda Hellewell and Lindsey Hause, all of who graduated. Schreier was competitive in running, while Hellewell and Hause performed well in the triple jump, high jump and hurdles.  

The Rebels have built up some momentum in their early start of the season, with hopes to continue developing. 

In its most recent meet at Windom on Tuesday, the boys team finished in first place out of six teams, while the girls placed sixth. 

The boys had a group of strong showings individually, highlighted by Lucus Kuball and Anikan Larson in the running events. 

Kuball took first place in the 100-meter race with a 11.65 time, and Anikan Larson followed in third for the same race with a time of 11.80. 

Kuball also took first in the 200-meter race, with Larson trailing closely behind for second place. The two ran 23.57 and 23.67 respectively. Alexander Betz also ran for seventh with a time of 25.07. 

Betz is projected to be another strong runner for the Rebels again this season, also taking second place in the 400-meter race with a 55.84 time. In the same race, Henry Carlson and Even Braun also placed sixth and ninth respectively. 

When it comes to long distance running, Micah Janssen and Wesley Hause have had a competitive start, placing third and fourth place in the 3200-meter run on Tuesday. 

MCC will also look to Isaiah Wolke in the shot put and discus events, who threw for first place in both at Windom. 

On the girls side for Tuesday’s meet, Isabela Schreier placed fourth in the 400-meter at 1:13.75, and  Holland Vogel completed a first place finish in the 3200-meter with a 13:35.91 time. 

Both teams had competitive times in the relay events as well. 

The track and field teams this year are led by Tim Bobeldyk, Dominick Damm, Brian Christiansen, Patrick Freeman and Jason Wischnak. 

MCC will host a home meet on May 1 with a 4 p.m. start, and will next compete at the Panther Invitational on Tuesday in Tracy at 12 p.m.