“About 3/4 of the team is returning 10th-, 11th-, 12th-graders,” said Fairmont head coach Jesse Walters. “About 1/4 are new ninth-graders and kids who are joining track as a new sport for them in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.”

This year, the team focuses on building depth in all events to ensure the program’s continued success and each individual’s improvement in their events.

“There’s a wide range of preparedness here in the athletes,” said Walters. “You got some that just came off of winter sports that are, you know, what you’d call maybe in good cardiovascular shape. And then you have some that maybe haven’t done a sport yet this year, and this might be the only sport they do.”

Walters and his coaching staff expect the athletes to have respect, work hard and compete.

Staff photo by Caleb Brinton Front Row (L to R): Cadence Leiding, Bella Schroeder, Macy Hanson, Kennedy Becker, Meredith Nemmers, Ava Rodning, Lexi Fuller, Kendra Blomster, Grace Simpson Second Row: Annabelle Watson, Addison Lintelman, Delaney Klug, Carys Gudahl, Hannah Fischer, Nola Thedens, Ellie Ortega, Jadyn Montgomery, Ellie Perkins, Luna Miranda-Bastillos Third Row: Nora Fitzgerald, Harper Artz, Mollie Leiding, Lauren Zarling, Adylen Laven, Ella Wubbena, Addison Toothaker, Madi Thompson, Giulia Severa, Emelia Klanderud Fourth Row: Evelyn Folkerts, Alyssa Lowry, Olivia Wedel, Kaydynce Weber, Makenzie Gerhardt, Avery Steuber, Nathaliah Johnson, Abbie Simpson Fifth Row: Avery Chambers, Lianna Weber, Leamonie Wilson, Addison Folkerts, Annie Reyelts

The Cardinals have not been under .500 for either the boys or girls, with the boys finishing last season 46-3 in 2024 and 31-13 in 2023. The girls finished last season with a record of 40-9 and a record of 35-8-1 in 2023, which is a key factor in the goals the team set for the season.

“Our goals are boys and girls top three in the conference,” said Walters. “Boys place in the top 5 at the True Team State Championship. Girls qualify for the True Team State Championship. Send a bus load of kids to state. Continue chasing and setting new school records.”

The Cardinals put on a solid showing in their early season meet where they locked in the victory while tying school records in their first competition of the season. Ellie Perkins tied the girls pole vault school record by clearing 9 feet, 6 inches, while Oliver Tordsen tied the indoor school shot put record with a throw of 53 feet, 11 inches.

Returning state qualifiers from last year for the Cardinals include senior Nelson Remington, who went to state last year in the 100-meter wheelchair, 400-meter wheelchair and 800-meter wheelchair, while senior Tordsen placed ninth in the state discus. Freshman Ellie Perkins tied for 11th in the state pole vault last season, while senior Ellie Ortega finished 18th in the state shot put. Senior Nolan Schultze finished ninth in the state 4×400 relay and senior Macy Hanson finished third in the state 3,200-meter race. Also last year at state, senior Jaydon Putney finished ninth in the 4×400 relay with Gage Borntrager and Connor Gronewald, who both graduated after last season.

The Cardinals head back to Mankato for their next meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, hunting for the second win of the season.