TEAM CAPSULES
Boys teams
Arlington Eagles
Coach - Kelly Clapp, seventh season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Matt Nicholas, sr., distances; Andy Powner, sr., distances; Zach Marzolf, jr., high jump/sprints; Justin Anderson, jr., hurdles.
Top returning throwers - Bryan Johnson, sr., discus/shot put; T.J. Orthmeyer, sr., discus/shot.
Impact newcomers - McKane Lee, fr., pole vault/hurdles.
Outlook - Eagles will get consistent performances from several experienced athletes, but overall lack of depth is major concern. Arlington must rely on consistency.
Everett Seagulls
Coach - Doug Hall, fifth season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Rusty Pruden, jr., distance running; Nathan Griffis, sr., 3200; Jeff Emory, sr., 400; Matt Jenkins, sr., pole vault.
Top returning throwers - Mike Hardison, sr., shot put.
Impact newcomers - B.J. Helmon, long jump/200.
Outlook - Turnout is highest in 10 years, but Seagulls are still developing.
Jackson Timberwolves
Coach - Eric Hruschka, sixth season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Jordan Hamm, jr., distances; Matt Curry, jr., hurdles; Rob Harris, sr., jumps; J.D. Scrapper, sr., sprints/jumps; Evan Wirkkala, so., distances.
Top returning throwers - None listed.
Impact newcomers - Evan Cooper, jr., jumps; Brandon Myers, fr., jumps; Corey Nuro, so., 400/800.
Outlook - Hruschka considers this a rebuilding year after Jackson placed 11th at state in 1999. Timberwolves are young in several events, but strong in jumps, distances. Cooper, who played basketball, makes move to track, where his future looks bright.
Lake Stevens Vikings
Coach - Jeff Page, seventh season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Brian Graham, sr., triple jump/long jump; Ryan McKinney, jr., 110 hurdles; Nik Williams, jr., relays/sprints; Matt Williams, jr., relays/ sprints; Heath Pritchard, sr., distances; Brant Bosserman, sr., distances.
Top returning throwers - Courtney Mortenson, sr., javelin; Ryan Thomason, sr., discus/shot.
Impact newcomers - None listed.
Outlook - Vikings, ninth at state last year, are the class of the conference. Graham will try to regain his form of 1998, when he placed third at state in triple jump. McKinney hopes to improve on eighth-place finish at state last year in 110 hurdles. Williams duo should improve already strong relay teams. Another conference title is likely for deep Vikings.
Lynnwood Royals
Coach - Duane Lewis, 29th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Edguardo Holland, sr., sprints; Mike Skaar, sr., pole vault; Sean Nelson-Leang, jr., high jump.
Top returning throwers - None listed.
Impact newcomers - Anthony Porter, so., long jump/sprints; Keith Ellis, fr., sprints/jumps; Robert Ortiz, fr., 800/1600.
Outlook - Royals have only seven juniors and seniors, so younger athletes will need to develop quickly. However, a few coaches believe Lynnwood is among top teams in league, and distant future of program looks good.
Meadowdale Mavericks
Coach - Terri Amonson, first season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Rod Boatner, jr., sprints; Mike Humphrey, so., hurdles.
Top returning throwers - Sam Mendoza, jr., shot; Jason Demeroutis, sr., discus.
Impact newcomers - Ryan Johnson, fr., sprints; Jason Perry, so., sprints.
Outlook - Mavericks have good, improving individuals and more balance than last year's team, but are inexperienced and young. They need to score points with second- and third-place finishes.
Monroe Bearcats
Coach - Dave Brekke, 11th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Richie King, so., distances.
Top returning throwers - Jesse Selphs, sr., shot put.
Impact newcomers - Josh Griese, sr., sprints (transfer from Oregon).
Outlook - Bearcats haven't had a home meet in 10 years, and will have to wait another year for track to be completed at new campus. Several key seniors did not turn out for team, and depth is major concern. Monroe remains in rebuilding stage.
Stanwood Spartans
Coach - Paul Johnson, 24th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Nick Clack, sr., high jump; Chris Cameron, jr., pole vault; Brent Larsen, jr., 400/high jump; Nathan Girard, jr. 110/300 hurdles; Tom Schram, so., sprints/jumps; Nick Cairus, distances.
Top returning throwers - Dan Farnham, sr., discus/shot; Adam Gentz, jr., discus; Brandon Murr, so., javelin/jumps.
Impact newcomers - None listed.
Outlook - Field events will be a strength, though Stanwood will be competitive in all events. Sprints are Johnson's biggest concern. Spartans are led by state-meet veterans Farnham, Clack and Murr.
Girls teams
Arlington Eagles
Coach - Kelly Clapp, seventh season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Cambrielle Jensen, jr., sprints/hurdles; Carla Campos, jr., sprints/hurdles/jumps.
Top returning throwers - None listed.
Impact newcomers - Adrienne Milan, fr., sprints/hurdles; Jodie Anderson, fr., jumps/sprints; Kaily Erickson, fr., hurdles/ sprints.
Outlook - Depth is a concern, but Jensen and Campos will help Arlington stay in top half of league. Expect big things from Jensen, who placed third in state in 100 and 300 hurdles. Coaches consider her one of two top girl athletes in league.
Everett Seagulls
Coach - Mary Jo Veneziani, 10th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Rianna Moore, sr., sprints/relays; Angel Andrews, sr., jumps/shot; Ashley Hale, jr., high jump/sprints; Marjona Oliver, jr., sprints; Brittney Moore, so., sprints.
Top returning throwers - Melissa Newton, jr., javelin/shot.
Impact newcomers - Sharon Bjella, fr., high jump/sprints; Lindsay Schilaty, sr., throws; Megan Hawkins, fr., throws; Molly Loesche, fr., pole vault/throws.
Outlook - Seagulls are young, but huge turnout and strong sprinters and throwers might put them in top half of conference. Freshman class must develop quickly for immediate success, but this is a team of the future.
Jackson Timberwolves
Coach - Steve Till, first season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Jen Siers, sr., hurdles; Megan Perry, jr., hurdles; Brittany Duke, jr., distances; Kim Carlberg, jr., jumps.
Top returning throwers - Kristi Ilyankoff, sr., discus/shot.
Impact newcomers - Ashley Johnson, fr., jumps; Becky Barclay, so., distances.
Outlook - Till is third coach in four years. Timberwolves will do well in hurdles and distances, but sprints are a concern.
Lake Stevens Vikings
Coach - Jeff Page, seventh season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Tanya Pater, jr., sprints/relays; Allison Selway, sr., triple jump.
Top returning throwers - Tiffany Mauer, sr., discus.
Impact newcomers - Maisie Todd, fr., throws; Lindsey Barnes, fr., sprints; Lori Anderson, fr., sprints; Emily Kuhlman, fr., middle distances.
Outlook - Talented but young Vikings will try to extend string of five league and district titles. Pater is one of the best athletes in the conference and will score points with her versatility.
Lynnwood Royals
Coach - Duane Lewis, 29th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Jennifer Goeckel, sr., all-around; Brooke Little, sr., hurdles; Teka Parks, jr., triple jump/javelin; Jessica Martin, sr., pole vault; Kilie Maus, jr., 400.
Top returning throwers - None listed.
Impact newcomers - Sarah Owen, fr., 100, 800; Danielle Russell, fr., jumps/sprints.
Outlook - Goeckel is one of state's best wheelchair athletes. Royals have only 12 of 60 athletes back from last season, but newcomers will add depth and give Lynnwood more chances to score in what were weaker events last season.
Meadowdale Mavericks
Coach - Terri Amonson, first season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Kelly Leffel, sr., hurdles/sprints; Crystal Smith, sr., distances; Shavonne Johnson, sr., 800/1600; Amber Vranish, so., sprints.
Top returning thrower - Shannon Oltman, sr., discus.
Impact newcomers - Kristen O'Neill, jr., sprints; Leslie Martin, jr., sprints.
Outlook - Mavericks have good depth and could send more athletes to districts than they have in the last decade. Meadowdale is probably most talented team in Edmonds District, but middle of pack in WesCo 3A.
Monroe Bearcats
Coach - Dave Brekke, 11th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Tiffany Teasdale, so., high jump; Katie Forquer, jr., sprints.
Top returning throwers - None listed.
Impact newcomers - None listed.
Outlook - Only 65 students are out for boys and girls track teams at Monroe, so development and depth will take time. Bearcats continue rebuilding.
Stanwood Spartans
Coach - Paul Johnson, 24th season.
Top returning runners/jumpers - Hanni Wenzel, sr., jumps/relays/discus; Jamie Gum, sr., distances; Emily Weyers, jr., sprints/hurdles; Chelsea Ruhoff, jr., pole vault; Kerry Madsen, so., sprints; Zoe Urness, so., 100/distances; Chenoa Urness, so., distances.
Top returning throwers - Tina Donahue, jr., discus/shot/sprints; Casey Lee, sr., javelin/discus.
Impact newcomers - Kisha Kalahiki, sr., javelin/jumps/hurdles.
Outlook - There is depth and talent all across the board. Spartans have enough to dethrone five-time WesCo champion Lake Stevens. Basketball standouts Wenzel and Donahue are versatile. Urness sisters made state last year as freshmen and Weyers was fourth at state in 400.