‘We had been working really hard:’ SW senior, Kaiser, was looking forward to upcoming track season

HAZEL GREEN, Wis.–Southwestern senior Kallie Kaiser was looking forward to her return to the track for a chance to make the state meet with a group she believed had a chance to do special things. Unfortunately, due to COVID, those dreams were unable to come true.

Kaiser competed in volleyball for four years and was on the varsity team her junior and senior seasons. Kaiser also played basketball during her sophomore year.

In the spring, Kaiser ran track the past four years and competed in a myriad of events. She is primarily a relay runner, competing in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. She was in the 4x800 her freshman year. Kaiser is also a long jumper and has tried the triple jump. She also competes in the 100, 200 and 400.

“Volleyball is a really fun sport, we got a new coach and he really did a good job working on our skills,” said Kaiser. “We hadn’t had that for a long time. We have a tough conference and it is hard to compete at times. We did really well, we were proud of ourselves.”

Kaiser said a small group of her relay teams, primarily her 4x200 team, worked out all winter in preparation for the upcoming season.

“We were working out doubles,” said Kaiser. “We would go in the morning and afternoon. We started right after volleyball ended and we were talking about getting a baton out to practice hand-offs before the season started.”

Kaiser said they were also talking about team bonding activities for the team including the adoption of a fish as the team’s mascot.

Southwestern had a week of practices prior to the start of the cancellations. Kaiser was the captain of this year’s team.

The goal for this year’s season was to have the 4x100 and 4x200 win conference and go far in the state competition.

“Our main competitors from other schools graduated last year,” said Kaiser. “We all got our times down.”

Kaiser said she thought they had a chance.

“We had been working really hard,” said Kaiser. “We were really excited and ready to get going. We had some freshman in our 4x100 and they were really excited to work with us upperclassmen. We had high hopes for this year.”

Kaiser said they continued to work out in hopes that the season would resume.

“When we found out the season got cancelled, I cried hard,” said Kaiser. “It was very hard. Me and my friend Cassie, who is a thrower, just sat there and cried. It was rough.”

Kaiser said she is grateful that the season cancellation happened to her grade due to the strong will of her class.

“I think we are a strong class, and happy that this won’t be affecting the younger grades,” said Kaiser. “They still have a bright future ahead of them. Luckily, they don’t have to put up with such a hard senior year.”

Next year, Kaiser will be attending University of Wisconsin-Platteville to major in secondary education with a focus in social sciences.