Broncos strong turnout brings high hopes

RITZVILLE — With the track and field season starting, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos are turning out in big numbers, according to Head Coach Caitlin Teske.  

“I've been coaching 11 years, and the biggest team I've ever been a part of was 44 kids. So to have 40 kids, that's pretty exciting,” Teske said. “It'll be exciting to see how these kids grow, and what the new talent comes in that we don't know (about yet), that's maybe been hiding. Super excited for it.” 

The Broncos finished last season strong, sending multiple athletes to the state track meet in 2025. Zach Klein, Brody Boness, Damon Schilling, Leland Bowman, Brix Curtis and Jerod Harder competed on the big stage. This year, they return several of those competitors while also welcoming a younger class of athletes into the Broncos program.  

In the short time she has had to evaluate the roster ahead of their first meet, Teske has noted several athletes with potential to go far this season. She said Phillip McClanathan and Autumn Cresse are early standouts.  

“I know (Cresse) from coaching her in middle school girls basketball, and she brings a lot of speed. She wrestled for the wrestling team this year, and she did phenomenal with the wrestling team. She's quick, she's agile (and) I could see her wanting to contribute to our sprints there, and she could be a great asset,” Teske said.  

Having athletes newer to track and field gets Teske eager to help them grow and develop in the sport, she said.  

“When I see some of these kids pop up, I get pretty excited that, ‘Hey, they've never done track before, but I know that they bring athleticism and they bring that hard work, that work ethic, that you can't just come by often, like they want it and they want to be there,” she said.  

In addition to Schilling, Bowman and Harder, the Broncos also return several athletes with varsity experience across the boys and girls team. On the girls side, Lexi Hernandez, Allesandra Mendez and Saige and Zoe Galbreath are some of the key returners. For the boys, Cameron Boness and Shawn Fries also return to the Broncos program.  

As she evaluates the turnout and the potential of this year's team, Teske credited her assistant coaches Brendan Bermea and Alan Field for their help recruit athletes and developing them.  

“I have to give my assistant coaches a lot of credit,” Teske said. “I attribute a lot of (track athletes) to some of our recruiting. (Field) gets some of these basketball players that (say), ‘I don’t know about track, I don’t want to run,’ but he gets them out and gets them pumped up (and) excited. My assistant coaches are phenomenal at what they do and can talk those kids that may be on the fence into coming out too.” 

The Broncos start their season on the road at the Hawk Invite on Mar. 21 at College Place High School starting at 10 a.m. Given the larger makeup of their roster and a healthy mix of new and returning athletes, Teske said she has high hopes for what the Broncos can accomplish this season.  

“Our kids are hard workers, and they bring a lot to the table,” Teske said. “I'd say we have good chances at districts and coming out with our kids, and they've got to work hard, though it's going to be a fight, but we should bring a good group into that district qualifier and come out with a good group out of that to go to state.” 

    Cameron Boness from Lind-Ritzville hurls the javelin during early season practice.
  

    Cameron Boness, Jerod Harder and Aidan Miller from the Broncos stand together in their track uniforms ahead of the track season.