Speed is of the essence as the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn boys track and field program readies for the 2025 season. “I think we’ve seen a lot of growth already in the first few weeks of practice,” observed head coach Korey Ebel. “Our philosophy is more speed based so it will take a little longer to get our conditioning where it needs to be, but the kids have been working hard and I’m very pleased with their progress.”
As with the girls track and field program, the boys have a new head coach this season. Ebel is being assisted by Patricia Zimmermann. “I feel like the transition has gone pretty well,” commented Ebel. “The coaching staff talked a lot before the season about what we wanted the program to look like, and even started implementing some of that training over the winter.” 
The boys coaching staff has over 30 track and field athletes to work. “The thing I’m most excited about is just having so many kids participating this year,” remarked Ebel. “It will help us to be able to fill out most of the events this year. The only real challenge is getting kids involved as much as we would like. There is a limit to how many kids we can enter so everyone may not get multiple events to compete in.”
When it comes to pairing athlete with event, there will be a period of experimentation early on. “We have been starting to put together some line-ups for the first couple of meets,” noted the new head coach. “Line-ups will probably vary quite a bit at first as we figure out our most competitive combinations. Returners Ryan Grotluschen, Damian Dodge and Blaine Finster will anchor our middle distance events. Caleb Grotluschen, James Carlin, Brayden Moore and Mykle Meyers will compete in our sprints and relays along with a bunch of others. There is a lot of competition right now for our top spots.”
Ebel feels that the season ahead will help them prepare for the state qualifying meet in mid-May. “We expect to get better each week and plan to be competing at our best at the end of the year,” stated the coach. “Each time out is an opportunity to improve our times and get better.” 
The coach is not exclusively looking that far out when it comes to setting goals for his team members. “Goals for the season include giving your best and competing to the best of your ability every day,” said Ebel. “We want to become better overall athletes over the course of the season. We have also put an emphasis on leadership and mindset.”
With that in mind, Ebel shared what he wants the athletes to learn from their track and field
experience. “We want athletes to become the best version of themselves that they can be,” said the coach. “That comes from showing up every day with a great attitude and giving their best.  We talk a lot about ‘How you do anything is how you do everything.’ We don’t just want them to become successful athletes, we want them to be successful in the classroom and successful in everything they do.”

HMS Track Schedule

Boys Coaches: Korey Ebel and Patricia Zimmermann
Girls Coaches: Jeremiah Delzer and Julia Storm
All meets start at 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Friday, April 4, coed, Western Christian Meet, at Hull (Hesla Field)
Tuesday, April 8, coed, Dutch Relays, at Orange City (Northwestern College)
Monday, April 14, coed, Unity Christian Meet, at Orange City (Northwestern College)
Thursday, April 17, coed, South O’Brien Mid-Season Meet, at Paullina
Monday, April 21, girls, Lady Orab Invitational, at Sheldon
Tuesday, April 22, boys, OABCIG Boys Track Invitational, at Ida Grove
Friday, April 25, coed, Hawk Relays, at Hartley
Monday, April 28, coed, Okoboji Pioneer Relays, at Milford
Monday, May 5, coed, War Eagle Conf. Meet, at Hawarden, 4:00
Thursday, May 8, coed, Wolverine Relays, at Paullina, 4:00
Monday, May 12, coed, Sioux Central Invitational, at Sioux Rapids