Courtesy Photo The 2022 Alpena High boys track team includes: back Row left to right: Coach Trevor Roznowski, Coach Spencer Kraft, Head Coach Rick Voltz, Eric Eades, Owen Kocan, Ethan Johnson, Aiden Weitting, Zachary Kunath, Cooper Bright, Abraham Brege, Ryan Voltz, Jack Cook, Julian Stevens, Joseph Sheridan, Devin Macdonald, Austin Reinhardt, Maddox Chabot, Kenan Knight, Ty Dever, Andrew Dargis, Coach Bill Bright, Coach Emily Szymanski and Coach Joe Donajkowski; middle row left to right: John Kurowski, Owen Barnhardt, Joe Schuh, Brady Carlson, Ashton Mill, Devin LaMay, Carson Najmowicz, Elyja Chism, Jacob Kochanski, Samuel Cook, Jacob Beaubien, Micheal Herrmann, Nathan Parris, Quinn Kelly,Thurston Imhoff, Joseph McEwen and Steven Quaine; front row left to right: Coach Amy Carlson, John Eaton, Patrick Smith, Chris Krause, Hayden Allen, Easton Srebnik, Logan LaCombe, Hunter Hitzelberger, Elijah Allen, Jack Supiran, James Kuhl, Alex Gies, Adam Baugous and Trevor Soik. Not Pictured: Hayden Bacchus, Evan McDonald, Carlos Calzadilla, Wesley Decker, and Francisco Ferreira.

ALPENA — The Alpena High boys track team is determined to be the best it can possibly be this year. The team has already shown it has the talent and capability to be great after its first few track meets.

But the team hopes to improve and take things to the next level.

“They’re all working hard, doing well at the meets and we have a ton of potential,” Alpena coach Rick Voltz said.

This year’s boys track team has a variety of athletes ranging from all different grades which could mean a big developmental year for the Wildcats to continually improve. With the team being younger, Voltz is anticipating the upperclassmen to be the leaders and guide the team in the right direction.

“We’re really expecting a big year from our seniors and juniors in Cooper Bright, Ryan Voltz, Hayden Allen, and Elijah Allen,” Voltz said.

The Big North Conference is always challenging but, according to Voltz, he feels confident his team will be a contender.

Leading the way in the sprinting events is Bright, who returns for his final year. Bright competed in the state finals in the 400 dash during his junior year and hopes to improve from last year to finish his career as a Wildcat.

In addition to Bright, Alpena’s sprinters include sophomores Elijah Chism, Easton Srebnik, Joe Schuh, Julian Stevens, and freshman Carson Najmowicz.

Voltz is looking forward to seeing how Stevens develops as a runner throughout the season and moving into the future.

Thrower Ethan Johnson is also expected to perform at a high standard with it being his last year at Alpena. Other throwers for Alpena include Ashton Mill, Brady Carlson, Aidan Weitting, and Owen Kocan.

When it comes to distance events, Alpena is very strong as it is led by upperclassmen Jacob Kochanski, Andrew Dargis, Hayden Allen, Elijah Allen, and Hunter Hitzelberger.

Voltz has some lofty expectations for all of his distance runners, but is expecting his senior leaders to have an especially great season.

Leading the hurdles this year will be Ryan Voltz and sophomore Joe Sheridan. Voltz along with Sheridan have both shown the ability to compete with any school this year and have already indicated that in their first few meets.

Alpena’s competitors in the long jump include Devin LaMay, Abe Brege, and Jack Cook.

The Wildcats competed in their first home meet on Wednesday.