(Oakland) The Riverside boys track team was able to get in a few weeks of practices before spring sports were suspended.
Coach Alex Oliver points out this period without organized practices will differentiate the athletes that are willing to put in the work from those that use it as a break. “We’re kind of in a time of flux right now. The last day of school I gave them workout and I’ve been checking in on them. I saw three or four kids out running yesterday at different times. It’s a time of accountability for them to see if they are holding themselves accountable to their teammates, their goals, and to the coaches. All in all I think it’s a time to see some character out of some kids and how much things matter to them.”
The team is made up of proven veterans and some exciting newcomers. Mason Wichman, Wyatt Sparr, Dylan McDonald, and Ben Schroder are some of the known commodities. Brogan Allensworth is a newcomer who could make an impact at high jump. Rhett Bentley and Austin Kremkoski are proven athletes in other sports that have taken up track this year, plus there are some promising freshmen.
Oliver says the team was trending in the right direction prior to being prohibited from practice. The Bulldogs have 30 athletes on the team which is an increase from recent years. “I constantly talk to good athletes and people that I think would benefit from track. I try to encourage them because I think it’s a sport that benefits all other sports. It’s nice to have coach Darrell Frain and coach Tyler Johannsen as the junior high track coaches this year so I’m sure the football guys had some encouragement.”
