The Wright City track and field teams are entering the new season with high expectations.

The girls squad has three returning state qualifiers with Lydia Clubb, Lindsay Pettus and Ada Ferrell, while the boys team has many athletes returning in top tier shape. . 

Last year, the trio, along with the now-graduated Elizabeth Riggs, placed second in the 4x400 relay at the MSHSAA state championship, 

Although the team must fill the void left by their fourth relay member, the returning athletes are determined to reach the state meet again.

“I have really high expectations for this season. I think we’re going to do great,” Clubb said. “With the adrenaline you have, once you get there (state), it’s like a piece of cake,” Ferrell added. 

The girls noted they have an easy-going dynamic between each other, which often helps when it comes to racing together. After having a taste of the state competition last year, they noted it feels like they have a “little chip on their shoulder.”  

Ferrell also added she feels more at ease this season as a returning athlete. 

“Being a freshman in general is nerve wracking,” Ferrell said. “But going to state, I realized it’s not as nerve wracking as it needs to be.” 

Coach Fred Ross noted they are still working out who the fourth leg will be, as they do have a few contenders that could potentially fit in well. 

“We have a couple of freshmen and they may fit in there. Jolee (Lockhart) has been running really well,” Ross said. “We’re still getting times and figuring things out.”

Outside of the state qualifiers, Ross said his team has returned some promising girls, including Sadie Sehnert. 

Sehnert, who is now a junior, was a district qualifier in the javelin throw last year. 

“We’ll look for her to step up,” Ross said. “Track is nice because you compete against your time and your distance and your height, so you can really see positive feedback pretty quick.” 

On the boys team, many athletes, including those returning from winter track, are already in top shape for the new season. Junior Kaden Cross has already noticed significant improvement after the indoor season. 

“I’ve been getting way faster with the indoor season, so I’m in shape already and I can only get faster from here,” Cross said. 

The offseason focus on strength training in the weight room is also paying off.  

“We’re pushing it way harder than last year and definitely improving,” junior Dayton Humphreys said. “Everybody’s gotten a lot bigger from last year too, so that definitely made a big change.” 

Senior Kayden Allison added that after suffering a season-ending injury last season, he is excited to be back on the track and motivated to get to the state meet. 

Ross added the senior, among many others, has returned stronger. 

“We have some young sprinters that are faster and some seniors that are faster, so we’re looking for the boys to come in and do well,” Ross said. 

Ross will look towards the seniors, on both the girls and boys teams, to take on more of a leadership role. 

“We’re looking for those seniors to lead because they know what we do in our program and what you need to do to succeed and get better,” Ross said. 

Ross did note both teams overall are smaller in numbers but he acknowledged the value of more opportunities to participate in various events. 

“We have a big junior class and a pretty good senior class this year,” Ross said. “Those kids have some experience, conference experience, especially. We’ll look for them to step it up this year.” 

The boys and girls are both slated to begin their season at the Van-Far Open Warm-Up meet on March 24. 

“Everything’s pumped up when you’re in a meet, so we’re going to go from those times and hopefully start beating those times and give them something to shoot for right at the beginning of the season,” Ross said.