It’s been a good run for Cotter’s spring athletes of the Class of 2016.

The baseball and softball teams have won two consecutive conference titles, including an undefeated conference run by softball. The tennis team has reclaimed dominance in section 1A, placing second last year and looking to one-up that position this year. The track teams.

“It’s been good times [with these guys]. They bring great smiles and tons of laughter to the table,” junior Hunter Duellman said.

“I think that, with these two conference titles [and success], we’ve laid forth the blueprint to succeed. I love playing with these guys, and I hope that we leave a legacy moving forward,” Andy Tofstad said. Tofstad plans to attend the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and will major in electrical engineering.

“I already know my roommate is going to suck, but other than that, I look forward to college,” Tofstad said jokingly, with that recognizable goofy grin. His roommate, second baseman Hunter Andre, laughed along with him.

Senior Logan De Vorak leaves advice to “look fresh, play fresh.” De Vorak will either attend University of Minnesota, Mankato or stay home at Winona State University. “I would’ve gone to Vanderbilt to be a catcher, but they told me I would be better off just going to The Show.” De Vorak has not played catcher since junior high.

The softball team has had also had success, and it is a product of the team chemistry.

“My favorite thing is probably how well we play together and just our season overall. It’s pretty cool to go undefeated in the conference. We all get along. Our team is just fun to be on,” senior Mikala Nelton said. Nelton will be attending the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire.

“We’ve had each others’ backs all season, and I think it’ll help us carry into the playoffs,” sophomore outfielder Aspen Jerowski said.

“They’ve been such great leaders for the team. We will have a big hole to fill next year, but I believe that they’ve set such great examples for us that will help us in the future,” sophomore outfielder Josie Huelskamp said of the seniors.

Individuals of the Cotter track team has made a staple in the past, sending Colin Duellman and Matt Schrupp to the state meet. As a squad, however, senior leader Alex “Wallie” Walechka sees improvement from previous years.

“We showed that as a team we can all compete no matter what event we are doing, or who we are up against. No one took the easy way out this year,” Walechka said. “Last year, we got a lower place in most meets. We are steadily improving.” Walechka will be joining Tofstad and Andre as Pioneers at Platteville, and will be throwing. Michael Speltz and Jim Kim are the other seniors on the team.

Beth Parlin is the lone female senior on the track team.

“Track has been going well for the girls side. We are definitely doing better than I thought we would. There’s plenty of depth [in the junior high] and a lot of the younger girls are doing really well,” Parlin said. Parlin will attend Hamline University and weigh her athletic options.

On the tennis courts, the boys are getting it done. Senior Logan Spitzer, partnered with junior Andre Russeau, started the season 10-0 in doubles play.

“I tip my cap to these guys. They bring the intensity day in and day out to become super good at this sport. I’m excited to see where this takes us,” senior Brennan Schaffner said of the team.

“Winning two out of three matches in Madison [Wisconsin] is a big highlight for us as a group. We play some tough competition and to put ourselves on the map [like that] is important,” senior Jake Renk said.

It’s been a good run for this year’s seniors. Like Jared Allen, the will ride off into the sunset with smiles on their faces.