Most people are not willing to run on hard concrete in racing spikes, and a majority of De Pere’s track athletes agree. Spikes get dull fast on a surface that leaves much to be desired.
Problem solved.
According to DPHS track coach Mr. Soquet, at the onset of the 2025 school year, the De Pere High school district received a bid of $188,417 to resurface the face of the track.
The reasoning behind this decision was that it was determined that the surface of the track, which was last redone in 2018, was unfit for running and needed to be replaced.
So during July, the old track was torn out and the new track was laid down. Once this step was completed, the paint was applied, and an additional lane was painted for a total of nine lanes on the track.
The life expectancy of this new track is estimated to be five years before it is due for another replacement.
“It was a great decision, it was overdue for a couple of years in my opinion,” Mr. Soquet said. “The hope is that we’re going to have a faster surface. I don’t think it’s going to be any worse; we had a non-flat surface and some areas that were worn down to the concrete. So on behalf of all the athletes, I am very thankful.”
In addition, Soquet said that other teams and coaches noticed the condition of the track and were hesitant to run on the surface.
“In 2024,” he said, “we had a few teams at our Baker Invite meet who said, ‘You guys run a great meet, but the track surface is horrible, I’m not sure we’ll be back.’ ”
The track athletes at De Pere will finally have a fresh surface to run on during this year’s season, and a majority of athletes are looking forward to this upcoming season.
Sophomore track athlete Aaron Finn is feeling optimistic.
“I think it’s a lot better than the last track and I think it will help me run faster,” he said. “It could definitely help with our feet hurting because with the spikes on the old track there was less smoothness on the surface because of the concrete.”
