The Aberdeen Roncalli track and field teams are looking to make big strides this season.

While the Cavaliers must replace a few key athletes from last season’s team, coach Brady Lesnar is excited for a new season.

“We’re just looking forward to having a fun season and if we get better, we get better,” Lesnar said. “That’s what we’re always looking for.”

The team had an early start to the season due to the favorable weather conditions for late February and most of March.

“Just fortunate that we’ve had such nice weather,” Lesnar said. “We did set a record this year. It was the earliest we ever got our pole vault pits out – February 29. It’s a leap year, so that won’t happen too often.”

On the boys’ side, Roncalli must look to replace Jayden Munroe, who finished off his career by winning state titles in the triple jump and long jump last season. Munroe was also a member of the Cavaliers’ 800-meter relay squad; however, three of those members return, including Caden Shelton, Brody Weinmeister, and Parker Grieben. Other boys’ athletes to watch include Aiden Fisher and Joe Perkins. Lesnar likes what he sees on the boys’ team.

“I think we’ve got a good group of seniors here,” Lesnar said. “Caden Shelton, he’s going to be a force for us. Joe Perkins joined the team this year. He’s going to be a good runner for us.”

Lesnar is also excited for the younger runners as they will be counted on to step up this season.

“We’ve got some young guys that are coming around,” Lesnar said. “Hopefully, they find their own as they develop and mature.”

On the girls’ side, Roncalli brings back plenty of experience after sending just one relay team to the state meet last season, the 3,200-meter relay. Lesnar expects several runners to step up, including seniors Jaidyn Feickert, Paige Schmidt, and Sarah Schmidt.

“I think Jaidyn Feickert is going to be a good runner for us. She’s had some injury things, so we’re just going to find a good fit for her,” Lesnar said. “Paige and Sarah Schmidt have always been good athletes for us.”

Lesnar also expects several athletes to surprise him as the season goes on.

“Every year you’ve got one or two kids to come out of the woodwork and show you a few things,” Lesnar said. “I feel like we’ve got a group of kids that there might be a few of them. At least, that’s my hope right now and we’ll see where we go.”

Overall, Lesnar just wants the team to enjoy the season and hopefully make a run at the state meet in May.

“We just got to build each other up and have fun in the process,” Lesnar said. “Hopefully when it gets to May, we can see ourselves in some things that can take us to Sioux Falls again, but one day at a time.”