The spring sports season is underway as students and staff begin the fourth and final quarter of the school year. Springtime is a busy period for a number of athletic programs at Stoughton High School, with offered sports including girls soccer, boys tennis, track and field, boys baseball, girls softball and boys golf. Let’s take a closer look at what teams have accomplished so far!
Boys tennis:
The boys tennis team had its first practice of the season on March 30, and since then, athletes have been preparing for a busy season filled with multiple matches a week and working around inclement spring weather. The program has grown in size since last season, with twenty-two boys filling the varsity and junior varsity rosters. “I love all the fact that there are so many different people I can play against at practice, and I love the amount of different games we play at the end of practice,” said JV singles one player Owen Hall.
Track and field:
Track and field practices began on March 8, and after a quick two-week indoor season, the team is in preparation for competition in larger outdoor meets. At the Whitewater Indoor Championships held on April 4, athletes Quinn Furseth, Elijah Judd, Ethan Zywicki, Chase Reott, and Gatlin Empey qualified to compete and achieve new season bests in their respective events. “I am looking forward to the weather continuing to improve, making outdoor practices enjoyable. It will also be fun to start competing regularly!” said senior thrower Auden Brekken. The team is optimistic about sending several athletes to the state meet in early June.
Boys baseball:
The boys baseball team began their season on March 16 and has been working hard to get their JV and Varsity teams ready for tough competition and improving game strategy. The team won a game against Madison East on March 31 and will face new teams every week as conference games begin through April and May. “We are looking forward to watching our younger players grow and progress. Last year, they improved immensely from day one to the end of the season, and we hope to see that continue and build upon that. I love coaching because there’s so much to teach mentally, and it’s fun to see kids grow,” said varsity assistant coach Sam Raff.
Boys golf:
The boys golf team is starting off a great season with a varsity team comprised of two returners and three new athletes on the roster. The team was able to pull off a third-place finish in the Stoughton Invitational held at Coachman’s Golf Resort on April 9 with a final score of 328. The team also had a successful day at the Sauk Prairie Invitational on April 7, with Camdyn Ketelsen shooting a 76 to help the team win with a score of 330 and place second in the individual standings. The golfers continue to work hard for scheduled invites throughout the remainder of April and May.
Girls softball:
The girls softball team has had a tremendous start to the season, currently holding a 4-1 overall winning score. The team began official practice on March 17, but had held several open gyms throughout the winter to further prepare athletes for the busy season. Made up mostly of juniors and sophomores, the team features several returners who have helped the team start the season strong. From April 7-9, the team played in three conference games against Fort Atkinson, Sauk Prairie, and Edgewood, setting themselves up for a 3-0 conference score. The team lost to Oregon in a non-conference game on April 11. With a number of games still to play this early in the season, players and coaches stay hopeful about the team’s results this spring.
Girls soccer:
The girls soccer team has had a quick start to the season, holding their varsity tryouts March 30-31 prior to their first game against Fort Atkinson on April 7. In the first game of the season, the girls tied 0-0 in the starting Badger Small Conference Game. The varsity roster has faced challenges due to recurring injuries, but the recovery process looks promising as a number of athletes return to the pitch. “One thing that makes soccer special is the bonds within the program. One of my favorite things about going to practice is just being with all the girls and the positive energy everyone brings. I have met some of my best friends playing soccer, so it means a lot, especially this year, with my senior season, to have such an amazing and supportive team and coaches,” said senior player Brenna Dreyer.
