Head coach: John Murtaugh (4 years)

Key returnees: Nurlan Herburger, AJ Hall, Ben Mandel, Bobby Klemt, Kaitlin Muccio, Caroline Morrow, Nikki Criscuolo, Jake Denbeaux, Kevin Hsieh, Jeff Roberts.

Key losses: Jaleel Felton, Nicole Miller.

Key newcomers: Evan Jones, Ashley Evans, Marlo Gaustella.

Strengths: The team’s biggest strength is the character of the group of kids that have come out for the team. The team is a small, but tight-knit group who enjoys each other’s company day in and day out.  Winter track is a difficult and very time-consuming season where you need to be very dedicated to each other and the sport. Last season, they only practiced inside two days. Whether it be freezing temperature, rain, or snow, the athletes are out there, ready to go.

There is a group great upperclassmen who model the behavior we expect from the new comers and a strong group of freshmen who have bought into the team philosophy and are hungry to contribute to the team’s success.

Athletically, the team’s strengths will lie within putting together relays, more specifically the distance medley and sprint medley where coaches predict both the boys and girls will be most competitive.

 Areas that need improvement: Only three weeks into the season, yet there are many athletes who are injured. Track is a sport where time is necessary to allow your body to get in racing shape. Time is needed to build a base and then from there speed work is finessed. Too much time off being injured is a risk to not having enough time to even run a competitive season.

Outlook: Last season, the team had to practice outside with lots of cold weather and snow, yet the team still had many all-county athletes and put together some competitive boys relay teams with a deep pool of athletes to choose from. The team will look to rely on their relay teams, where the coaches believe the team is the most successful. The boys relay team lost Jaleel Felton to graduation, but looks to be replaced (or not) by The Smoke Signal’s own Evan Jones. The girls relay team looks to make its mark on the track this year, with many newcomers to the team.

Coach’s comment: “There is nothing wrong with the weather, just something wrong with your clothes.”