The varsity boys track and field team is coming into the 2022 outdoor phase of the season looking to finish what they came so close to during a stellar 2021 Covid-shortened year. 

The goal for the group is dead same for the whole team: to complete the unfinished business and bring home the biggest hardware home from Eastern Illinois University, the site of the IHSA state track meet. 

Last year they finished 2nd in state with a 10-2 record. Led by head coach Nick Lundin, the 2021 team swept the conference field in the past season, which only included an outdoor phase.  This year, they have already won the indoor conference meet.  

All of the relays had a All-State performances down in Charleston last year.

“Stay humble and do the little things right,” senior Tyler Colwell who was a part of the state champion 4×100-meter relay team said. Colwell is also committed to run at Colorado State. 

The team opens up their outdoor campaign at the Belleville West Invitational on April 9. 

“It’s a good team bonding trip to spend overnight with the team,” Colwell said. 

The team returns a plethora of key athletes who were a part of the 2nd place state team last year. Colwell, Malik Armstong, Darren Anderson, Zach Balzer, Cael Hiser, Andrew Undesser and Emerson Fayman are just a short list of the returners.

The pole vault squad is led by new coach Richard Undesser, who teaches Spanish at MCHS. Andrew Undesser is looking to have a big season with an opportunity to break 15 feet by the time state hits. 

The team is led by a stellar relay crew heading into the outdoor season.

“We need to have solid handoffs, practice them and have the best training,” Hiser said. “Whatever we need to finish the job.” 

Hiser and Armstrong are also looking forward to the atmosphere at the SmithStrong Invitational which is hosted by Minooka on April 16. 

When it comes to expectations for this upcoming season the goal is the same for the whole team. 

“Win every meet we go to,” Balzer said. 

In practice, this group even gets to compete against the best. Assistant Coach Matt Smith has led this sprints crew to be great and develop high end sprinters every year. 

“We need to perform at our highest level and have great practices,” Armstrong said. 

The path towards the 2022 outdoor season kicks off April 9 in Bellville where the team looks to hunt down their unfinished business.

Ryan Susnar is a thrower on the Minooka boys track and field team.