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On Friday, June 1st, nine Deer River/Northland War Eagle track athletes traveled to UMD to compete in the Section 7A Track and Field meet.

Competing for Deer River/Northland (DRN) were seniors Danielle Maki in the Discus; Northland valedictorian Jake Spartz in the 800M; Juniors Kevin Drotts, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump and 300M hurdles; Donna Velishek, Pole Vault; Freshmen Hannah Myers 3200M; Eric Ortloff in the 100M and Sofia Rajala in the High Jump.

DRN enjoyed perfect weather conditions to advance several athletes to the State Track Meet to be held at Hamline University in St. Paul. Placing this year for DRN were Jake Spartz, taking fifth in the 300M; Sofia Rajala, taking third in high jump. Junior Kevin Drotts won the Pole Vault with a vault of 12'6".

The War Eagles finished another successful season, with the boys winning the conference meet and the girls taking second. Deer River loses seniors Ashley Trout and Danielle Maki as well as Northland athletes Jake Spartz and Korrine Archer. The future is bright as both boys and girls teams have many young athletes becoming better every season.

The War Eagles track program says goodbye to long time head coach Jim Taylor. Coach Taylor is retiring from both teaching and coaching. Coach Taylor's 27 years of coaching will be difficult to replace as will his calm demeanor, organization and positive impact on kids.[[In-content Ad]]

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