Girl's Track Preview: James Wood

Coach: Matt Stegmaier, 7th year

Last year: 3rd in Northwestern District meet

Key loss: Shannan Thorne

Top returning athletes:Amber Hawkins, Jr., distance; Morgan Craig, Jr., hurdles; Laura Seymour, So., hurdles/jumps; Loralee Tyler, So., throws; Isabella Lambert, So., throws; Julia Putprush, So., throws; Madeline Long, Jr., distance

Newcomers: Rachel Benton, So., multi-event; Katie Houser, jumps/sprints; Tajeh Usher, Fr., sprints/jumps

Outlook: James Wood saw a lot of improvement last year, and on a team with no seniors, Stegmaier sees the Colonels' future getting brighter and brighter.

"The girls have seen all the success that the boys have had, and they want that too," Stegmaier said. "These girls work hard and do what we tell them to do. We'd like to finish in the top two in the district."

Nelson is the only distance runner in the area more accomplished than Hawkins, Craig is one of the area's best hurdlers, and Seymour should be able to pick up the points in the sprints and jumping events that were lost with the graduation of Thorne.

As far as newcomers go, Stegmaier is particularly intrigued by Houser, James Wood's star volleyball player. She'll likely do the high jump and 400.

"I'm excited to see what she can do," Stegmaier said. "She's a hard worker. If she's successful, she might show some of the other athletes who typically do one sport that they should give track a shot."

First meet: Wednesday at Sherando