The numbers are in an upward direction for the North Union track programs.
Head coach Cole Krawczyk is hoping the quantity will turn into quality for the 2024 season.
“The girls team is the largest we have had in a while and track is usually a strength in numbers.” he said.
However, he only has eight letter winners from last season.
“My concern this season is the inexperience we have,” Krawczyk said. “Many of the girls have not participated in track before and that can be a challenge with the quality of competition we will be facing.”
Seniors returning letter winners are distance runner Madelyn Zimmerman, sprinters Lindsay Willis, Riley Heminger and Corajayne DeBoer and thrower Lily Leavitt.
Other returnees include junior distance runners Savannah Amstutz and Lauren Hall and sprinter Gillian Stone.
Krawczyk likes the way the rest of the squad is filling in various spots.
“I believe with this group it will not be out of the question that we can put the pieces together to win meets,” Krawczyk said.
The boys team is also a little light in returning letter winners, which total six.
Four seniors, pole vaulter Henry Heyward, thrower Owen Hoffer, distance runner Tyler Huff and sprinter Carter Skaggs, are returning along with juniors Wyatt Davis (high jump) and Traven Reber (distance).
Getting close to a league meet title last year gave this year’s team something for which to strive.
“Losing the conference meet by 12 points has stuck with our athletes and there is a fire that I have not seen before in the team,” Krawczyk said. “They are willing to do whatever it takes to be back in the running this year.”
The relay events may be key to that success.
“We lost a lot of reliable seniors from last year and this year we are going to have to mature really fast to be the best we can be,” Krawczyk said.
Krawczyk suspects Benjamin Logan will once again be a favorite in both girls and boys meets within the Central Buckeye Conference.
“Benjamin Logan is always a favorite,” he said. “I think our girls will do much better at the conference meet and I feel we have put together a boys team that can compete.”