Track teams on spring sprint

Both boys and girls squads loaded with talent and depth

The Ely Timberwolves are itching for competition.

That itch was finally set to be scratched Thursday, when after a month’s worth of practice, the high school boys and girls track teams opened their season at Chisholm’s Early Bird Invitational.

The meet took place after deadline and a week later than planned, as area teams have once again dealt with Mother Nature as a difficult opponent - before ever getting to face foes from opposing schools.

Both the girls and boys teams at Ely boast big numbers, with nearly 80 total athletes between the two teams.

But in addition to overall depth, both teams also have some strong returning talent.

That’s particularly true for the Ely girls, who return state meet competitors on both Violet Udovich and Lydia Shultz.

Udovich, who is only in ninth grade, went to state in 2024 in the 400-meter dash.

She was also part of a state-qualifying relay team with Shultz along with two graduated seniors - Sarah Visser and Grace LaTourell.

The Ely girls placed ninth in the section last spring and return one of the area’s top throwers in another 10th-grader - Kaylin Visser.

Visser placed fourth in the discus in Section 7A and went to state in 2023.

Ely also figures to be strong in distance events with the return of Molly Brophy and Mattie Lindsay, who were both section scorers in the 1,600-meter run.

Coach Jill Ellerbroek also has numerous other athletes to choose from as she assembles a lineup that figures to be formidable all season long in Section 7A.

Longtime head coach Will Helms leads a young Ely boys team that is poised to improve.

Senior Silas Solum is back and the team’s top returning section placer.

He was fourth in 7A in the 800 and ran the anchor leg in an Ely relay (four-by-400) that took fifth.

Returning senior Eli Olson was a triple medalist in the section last spring and he is part of a nucleus that also includes Brooks Brenny, Oliver Hohenstein, Wyatt Devine, Milo McClelland, Dylan Durkin, Tory Hughley, Caleb Larson and Wyatt Mattson.

Thursday’s meet at Chisholm opened a regular season that lasts barely a month, with subsection competition slated for May 22.