In small schools like Callaway and Arnold, many teachers and coaches do dual duty. When it comes to South Loup track, the head coach is primarily the only difference between the boys and girls teams.

Heading up the coaching staff for the boys team is Andy Schwarz, entering his second season in that role. Schwarz served as an assistant coach for 25 years in sprints/relays prior to becoming head coach.

Assistant coaches are Zac Sweet – 2nd year, jumps/sprints; Nicole Recoy – 10 years, hurdles/high jump; Mike Weverka – 18 years, throws; Rick Peterson – 30+ years, pole vault; Lane Chesley – 25+ years, distance; and Katie Berglund – 4 years, throwers coach.

The Bobcats are coming off a great season, where they finished as MNAC boys Runners-Up in 2025. The boys have won the conference championship the past five years, and Coach Schwarz lists that as a big goal for this year’s team! “Our upperclassmen haven’t lost a conference meet in their high school career, so they really want to keep the streak going!” he added.

Returning state qualifiers for the boys' team include two members of the state qualifying 4x100 relay team - Dylan Pandorf and Conner Paulsen. The other two legs of that team, Ethan Furne and AJ Starr, graduated last year.

“We have good numbers, but I don’t know if we have that one or two athletes that can go out and win their event at every track meet,” said Coach Schwarz. “We will rely on our depth in all events to compete at the meets.”

Besides Paulsen and Pandorf, also returning for this year’s track season are Eli Hunt, Elijah Cool, Paxton Bierman, Jaden Baker, Eli Rogers, Josiah Coleman, Walter Bierman, Brayden Keeney, Caleb Furrow, and Zane Ellison.

“Most of our kids participate in fall and winter sports, so that is the best preparation for track season that they can do!” said Coach Schwarz.