Preview: Boy's Track & Field

Coach:Matt Stegmaier, 6th year

Last year:Northwestern District regular season and meet champions; tied for 9th in Region II meet

Key losses:James Thorne, Aaron Shiffler, Jamel Johnson

Top returning athletes:John Simms, Jr., sprints; Cody Wright, Jr. distance; Joey Bynog, Jr., throws; Chase Tyler, Sr., throws; Ben Jenkins, Sr., hurdles; Mason Smith, Sr., jumps/sprints/hurdles; Anthony Ingle, Jr., jumps

Key newcomers:Sawyer Michelitch, Fr., sprints/jumps/hurdles; Joe Davet, Jr., distance; Matt Vitaliagno, Fr., jumps; Logan Shiffler, Fr., throws

Outlook:Stegmaier has good reason to be concerned about injuries. Simms was unable to compete at the state meet in the 100 and 200 a year ago because of a hamstring injury suffered at the Region II meet. His presence will be needed for the Colonels to be successful, especially because of the loss of athletes like Thorne, The Winchester Star Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2010.

"He's been looking pretty good," said Stegmaier of Simms. "We want to keep him healthy."

A healthy Smith could mean big things for the Colonels, too. Always a key member of James Wood's jumping and sprinting contingent, Smith will now try to fill the void created by the graduation of Shiffler and Johnson in the hurdles. Michelitch, a promising freshman, could also jump in and be a factor.

"We think [Smith] can do really well in the 300 hurdles," Stegmaier said of the 6-foot-7 Smith. "He's run the 400 so many times. As big and tall as he is, it's not that hard for him to get over the hurdles in the 300. I'm excited to see what he can do."

Wright struggled with an injury at the end of cross country season, but he finished in the top 16 in the 800 and 1,600 at last year's state meet. Stegmaier thinks the distance crew should be strong if the runners follow the lead of Wright and Davet.