Joe Guenther named Shawano head track and field coach

Pending formal approval, Dr. Joe Guenther will be the new head track and field coach at Shawano Community High School in the 2023 season.

Guenther replaces Erin Cornelius, who resigned after the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Guenther is a familiar face to the Hawks track and field program. He’s been an assistant coach in the program since 2019, being primarily responsible for coaching the distance and middle-distance runners and relays. This past fall, he was the head coach of the Shawano Community Middle School cross-country program. He has also coordinated the Brener Running Club and the Shawano Summer Running Club since 2015.

“I am happy to continue helping the Shawano track and field program in any way possible,” said Guenther. “Going out for track as a freshman in high school was life-changing for me. I found a sport where everyone has a chance to participate. It’s a sport where it was possible for someone to work hard in practices and then get the chance to prove themselves in the meets.”

“We are excited to promote coach Guenther to the position of head track coach,” said SCHS Activities Director Joel Wondra. “Joe is a student-centered coach, and he is a great role-model for our student-athletes to learn from. We believe our athletes will have a great experience competing on a team coached by coach Guenther.”

Guenther has experienced first-hand the powerful impact that interscholastic athletics can have on a young person.

“Running is a sport that teaches patience and the importance of hard work that allows us to achieve amazing things,” said Guenther. “Learning to push myself on a track helped me excel in the classroom, and helped me develop skills that got me through college and medical school.”

Guenther believes that the sport of track has something to offer for any athlete.

“Track can be someone’s passion and primary sport, or it can be complimentary to other sports. Athletes can develop greater speed and power through field and sprinting events and build endurance in distance events,” said Guenther. “There really is a place for everyone. Working as a part of a team helps people push themselves harder, and is more fun than training alone. My hope is that we can get more kids involved and give them opportunities to discover what they are capable of.”

Track practice begins on March 6, and Guenther is already working to finalize the team schedule and develop training plans with his assistant coaches for the season.