Some newcomers will be counted on to score points for the girls? track squad, while a slew of healthy seniors return, too.
‘We’ve got some talent, that’s for sure,? Coach Sharon Kline said. ‘We’ve got veterans coming back and some new talent coming in.?
Among the returning seniors are sprinters Cara Booker, Christine Norton and Cortney Kimmel (who doubles as a hurdler).
Booker and Kimmel join distance runner Allie Hock (a three-time All-State cross country runner) as team captains.
Hock, Renae Riley and Sydney Gutierrez, along with some promising freshmen, will team for the 4X800 team, which Kline thinks could be a state meet qualifier.
‘We’ve got a pretty strong distance group this year,? she noted.
Returning sophomore Chira Allen returns as a sprinter/hurdler after a strong first season and Aisha Johnson should contribute points in the long jump.
Other field events contributors will include Lisa Glasso, Stephanie McClug and Katie Osentoski.
Kline said she also has high hopes for freshman high jumper/sprinter Alexandria Johnson.
‘Her dad was a runner and hurdler at Michigan,? Kline said. ‘And we expect big things from her, too.?
The coach said everyone will need to be at their best for the team to have any chance against their strong OAA I competition.
‘If we were in any other league, we’d be gangbusters,? she said.
‘The girls in this division are just really good.?
The team struggled to find any wins in league action last year, but Kline is very optimistic given the talent on her squad this year.
She expects Troy, Rochester and Adams to be among the league’s elite teams in 2008.
The team welcomes West Bloomfield on Thursday.