Hillcrest Track Bursts into Spring with Speed, Strength, and Purpose
The 2025 season closed with six athletes qualifying for the State Meet across three events, a benchmark that continues to shape expectations and belief within the program. While Hillcrest graduated standout contributors, including Katie Holzner and Vincent Nash (State qualifier in the high jump, now competing at UW–River Falls), the core of the team returns with experience, hunger, and unfinished business.
Leading the way are returning state qualifiers: Maddie Miller, Kaia Fiskness, Emme Berge, and Elsa Retzlaff. Around them, the roster is both deep and dynamic.
The girls’ team features returning runners Ella Knutson (Captain), Sophie Walkup, and Elin Retzlaff, alongside a strong throwing group of Mia Miller, Lily Cossette, Ruby Walkup, Chloe Walkup, and Paisley Peterson. New energy joins the mix with Isla Frobish and Emma Cossette, adding depth and versatility.
On the boys’ side, leadership comes from Captain Drew Fischer, joined by returning contributors Isaac Hamilton, Luke Elliot, Xander Brown, Eli Walkup, and Maverick Peterson, with strength in the field from Xander Knutson. Newcomers Luke McGuire, Nik Olson, Carson Kovar, and Pedro Pereira bring fresh legs and new potential.
Behind them stands a committed and experienced coaching staff in Patti Zwiers, Jess Knutson, April Lokken, Sarah Jensen, Tessa Martinson, Chad Brown, Andrew Riestenberg, and Head Coach Allen Aase. They’re guiding not just performance, but growth, identity, and purpose. This isn’t a team starting from scratch, they’re stepping into something it has been building toward.
The Comets’ first test came at Concordia College on March 24 at the HOL Indoor Meet, and the results confirmed what the team has been sensing all along. The boys placed 8th out of 11 teams, while the girls took 6th, with multiple podium finishes and standout performances across disciplines.
The Girls 4x200 Relay (1:52.22) with Emme Berge, Maddie Miller, Ella Knutson, Kaia Fiskness delivered one of the more exciting performances of the day. Their first place finish highlighted a race defined by precision, with clean exchanges, controlled speed, and a finish that separated them from the field. Kaia Fiskness’ 400m (1:03.00) also delivered a first place finished for the Comets as she showed command, endurance, pacing, and a powerful closing kick.
Second-place finishes from Maddie Miller in the 55m (7.83) & 200m (27.18) were a rare double that highlighted elite acceleration and sustained sprint strength. Drew Fischer also earned a silver finish in the 400m (56.94), a captain’s performance with a steady, strong, and competitive race from start to finish. Maverick Peterson’s 800m (2:10.04) also earned a second place finish for the Comets at Concordia.
Bronze finishes belonged to the Boys 4x200 Relay (1:42.07), with Maverick Peterson, Pedro Pereira, Drew Fischer, Eli Walkup. The group is a developing unit showing cohesion and trust in the exchange. Eli Walkup also earned a third place finish in the 400m (58.04), a strong individual effort that adds depth to the mid-distance group. Emme Berge brought home 3rd place in the 200m (28.21), doubling back from relay success, showing both speed and resilience.
Chloe Walkup placed fourth in the Shot Put (29’ 11”), and Ella Knutson’s 400m (1:06.93) was good for fifth, in addition to Kaia Fiskness’ 200m (28.99).
The indoor season has already been especially successful. The results point clearly toward what’s possible: multiple athletes positioned to make a push for State competition once again.