It’s been quite the year and an historical one to boot for Mishicot Track and Field.
With several school records broken and personal best times set for many student-athletes, this magical year continues today (June 5th) and tomorrow at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships in La Crosse.
Sixteen athletes will represent the Manitowoc County school in seven separate events, with many having a chance to medal and reach the podium.
Head Coach Kyle Novack is a 2011 graduate of Mishicot High School who ran for the Indians and took over as head coach a month into the 2025 season.
He tells SeehaferNews.com that this is a special group that understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level of competition.
“They come in every day and work very hard, understanding what it takes to be successful,” he explained. “We’ve done a lot of things, including a ton of speed work, to make them run as fast as possible. They’ve trusted the process, and as a result, good things have happened for them.”
Senior captain Ben Backus is joined by Keshaun McAllister, Wyatt Sonosky, and Bradyn Fix in the boys 4×100 relay, and Gabriel Kunz and Jason Novak are alternates.
Backus, who runs the third leg, says they’re confident heading to La Crosse.
”Our handoffs are pretty good, and I feel strongly about our chances,” he predicted. “At this point of the season there’s not much more to prepare for, as rest and recovery are paramount to perform at our very best. I feel very confident going into Friday. “
The Mishicot Girls have had a year for the ages, capturing both the Big East Conference crown and, for the first time in the school’s history, a Division Three Sectional title on May 29th in Hilbert.
Junior Michaelynn Wotachek is going to state for the third time and will compete in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles, plus the high jump.
“It means a lot that I’ve qualified all three years of my high school career,” she said. “By qualifying in three events, it validates the hard work I’ve put in to be the best I can be to help my team achieve and reach all our goals.”
Senior Kensi Rosenow is also headed to Lacrosse for a third time as she’s the anchor or final leg of both the 4×100 and 4×200 relays.
She says it helps having been to the big dance before.
“I know what it’s like to compete there and what’s required to get the job done,” she explained. “State is a different animal, and as a senior, I feel it’s my responsibility to lay it all on the line for my team and share my knowledge of competing on the biggest stage with them.”
Kambrya Christoffel, Tatum Fix, and Julia Backus join Rosenow in the 4×100 relay with Kylee Hoeffner and Porter Danieklson serving as alternates, while Christoffel and Fix team up with Rosenow and sophomore Juliana Doerner in the 4×200 relay with Hoeffner and Julia Backus as alternates.
Speaking of Doerner, she’s accomplished a lot already in her nearly two years of high school athletics, having qualified for a second straight year in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, as well as running in the 4×200 relay.
She tells us the formula for her and the team’s success this season has been, “Staying positive and eliminating all negative thoughts. Seeing our team succeed makes me very proud, and I feel blessed to contribute to the overall success of this team.”
Taylor Mohorne rounds out the Mishicot contingent competing in the high jump, and regardless of the results, Coach Novack says it’s been a fun ride in 2026.
“If we PR (set personal bests) the medals and rewards will come, which is a great thing,” he admitted. “However, I want them all to just soak in this experience, understand how special it is, and make memories that will be nothing but positive that they can cherish for the rest of their lives.”
