The 2026 track and field season may have begun with biting winds and shivering temperatures, but the JWP-WEM Bulldogs have officially set the track on fire. In an unforgettable six-day stretch spanning three major meets, the Bulldogs have rewritten school record books, secured a Wild Card berth to the True Team State meet, and culminated the week as the undisputed 2026 Gopher Conference Champions for both the boys and girls teams.
A Strong Start: True Team Varsity Meet (May 5)
The week kicked off on Tuesday at the True Team Varsity Meet. Against a massive 14-team field, the Bulldogs proved they are among the elite in the region. The girls’ team powered their way to a 2nd place finish, while the boys earned a stellar 3rd place overall.
The highlight of the day belonged to Ashlynn Wolff, who continued her assault on the record books. For the second time this season, Wolff broke her own school record in the 400m, taking 1st place in the event. She also secured a 2nd place finish in the 800m.
Other Gold Medalists:
- Gavin Atherton: 1st in 200m and 400m.
- Rachel Mielke: 1st in 300m Hurdles.
- Addison Condon: 1st in Long Jump.
- Relay Victories: Girls 4×100 (Condon, Schlingmann, Olson, Westphal) and Girls 4×400 (Wolff, Mulder, Westphal, Wolff).
Versatility on Display: Lake Crystal Varsity Meet (May 7)
On Thursday, the Bulldogs traveled to Lake Crystal. With the high-stakes Conference meet looming, coaches used this opportunity to test athletes in new events and give junior high throwers a taste of varsity competition.
Under rare refreshing weather conditions, the depth of the Bulldog roster was on full display. Standout performances came from Nate Cofield (4th in Triple Jump), Charles Adams (4th in 300m Hurdles), and Lydia Bjortomt (4th in High Jump).
The Grand Finale: Gopher Conference Champions (May 9)
The momentum reached a fever pitch on Saturday as JWP hosted the Gopher Conference Varsity Meet. The home-field advantage was palpable as both the boys and girls teams claimed the title of Conference Champions. This marks the seventh straight title for the women’s team and back-to-back for the men–simply put, that’s domination, Holmes!
Bulldog spirit was further amplified by the news that the girls’ team earned a “Wild Card” spot for the True Team State meet, a testament to their season-long consistency. Rachel Mielke provided the performance of the day, shattering her own school record in the 300m Hurdles by more than a full second. In a sport where records are often broken by tenths, Mielke’s massive time drop signaled an athlete performing at the peak of her powers.
Conference Champions (1st Place Finishers):
- Wyatt Jans: 1600m
- Trey Richards: Pole Vault
- Gavin Weedman: Long Jump and Triple Jump
- Ashlynn Wolff: High Jump
- Sarah Bulman: Pole Vault
- Addison Condon: Long Jump and Triple Jump
- Relay Dominance: Girls 1st place finishes in the 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400.
A Program Built on Support
The coaching staff extended a massive thank you to the volunteers, families, and fans who managed the home meets. A special shoutout was given to the Erler family for providing meals to the coaches during the long Tuesday meet.
As the Bulldogs head toward the post-season, the program is moving with a velocity that mirrors its sprinters. With conference titles in hand and state appearances on the horizon, 2026 is shaping up to be a year for the history books.
Upcoming meets:
@Waseca on May 12
True Team State (women’s team) @Eden Prairie HS on May 16
