Ross took advantage of his role as assistant basketball coach by strongly encouraging team members to also join the track team. His persistence worked. The team lost three members from its 4x100 team that advanced to state last year. In fact, most sprinting events will be taken over by newcomers this season. But Ross remains optimistic. He realizes the Wildcats have incredible speed potential with a handful of first-year participants out for track. Zach Kaibel will take over the leadership role of that 4x100 team. Filling in the vacant spots will be newcomers Shajuan and Shakar Butler. Both picked up the sport this year for the first time after playing basketball. They will also be running the 4x200 relay. Ross says their addition should really give the team a spark. "They will really help us out nicely in the sprinting events," said Ross. "Hopefully we can get them acclimated to hand-offs." The fourth position will be handled by senior Stephen Hanff. Ross also expects Hanff to excel as a returner in the hurdle events. He also has experience as a triple jumper. Wright City should also reap the benefits of sophomore Trent Davis, who played baseball instead last year. He will run sprints and compete in the long jump. Ross is also excited to see the return of sophomore Deon Bradshaw, who showed promise in all jumping events last season. "We're really looking forward to getting these (basketball guys) in shape for track," said Ross. "They're athletes so if they work hard, they'll succeed." The Wildcats also will get a boost in their distance department with a pair of state cross country qualifiers joining the lineup. Freshman Zach Kowalik and sophomore Brandon Pruitt each proved their stamina during the fall, advancing to the finals. Several new faces also will headline the roster for throwing events. Junior Andrew Sherman has proven to have the best discus throw thus far. Wyatt Mohrman is tops in the shot put right now. Ross also expects Joe Quisenberry to have success in throwing. Wright City girls coach Sue Wright is excited about the amount of experience her team returns. While the Wildcats have only four seniors, most of the underclassmen are seasoned veterans. Wright says the team doesn't necessarily have any first-place finishers at first but should earn plenty of team points across the board. The Wildcats return three members from a 4x800 team that advanced to state last spring. Senior Lyndsey Dollard and juniors Samantha Itinger and Jessica Lang will be joined by freshman Brianna Zumwalt this season. Wright says the relay teams could be Wright City's most consistent source of points. "We're hoping those two teams can really be strong as the year goes on," said Wright. "There's a strong nucleus there and they really push each other." Wright says the sophomore class is particularly strong this season. Three of those - Lacey Davis, Paige Ponticello and Ashley Rebstock - will provide strength in the relay department as well. Wright expects Nicki McIntosh to make an impact in the hurdles, while Kaelyn Randolph will headline the distance crew. She says the Wildcats also have proven success in the throwing events. Senior Danielle Brinkmann excelled at the shotput and discus throws last spring. Jessica Grelle will also provide points in the shot put. Wright City will also look to Jessica Jones, who routinely shined in the triple jump last spring. Wright says it's reassuring knowing she has at least one strength in about every event. "We have experience in just about every event," said Wright. "We may not have a lot of first-place finishers but we should score strongly in a lot of different events."