The Varsity Boys and Girls Track team finds itself under a new direction as they begin the 2010 season.
In steps Jeff Zoli, who takes over for former track coach Andrew McDonald, who stepped down this past season to help take care of his young family.
Zoli, who has previous experience coaching track at Stoney Creek High School, is looking forward to getting the season started.
‘Our boys and girls team look very strong so far this year. We have a lot of confidence in our girls team and the boys should surprise some people,? he said.
That confidence stems from a previous season where the girls finished tied for first place in the Flint Metro League, while the boys finished middle of the pack tied for sixth.
This year, the girls will be led by seniors Shannon Seeley, a distance and relay runner, Kate Wolanin, who runs hurdles, relays and high jumps, hurdler Katie Tuski, sprinter and long jumper Keeona Ives and pole vaulter Molly Bonfiglio.
For the boys, senior distance runner Alex Pollack, senior pole vaulter and sprinter Austin Westmoreland, pole vaulter Steven Ferguson , senior distance runner Mark Hurrish, senior middle distance runner Jack Barrie and senior sprinter Dan Brown will be called upon to score valuable points during their meets.
‘We have a lot of returning athletes, with great leadership and high expectations,? said Zoli.
He noted that the top expectation was to compete and win FML championship. ‘We know that it is not going to be easy, but our kids are working hard and are committed to being the best that they can be.?
‘For our seniors, their last year of track is their last year in the FML. I know they want to make some noise on the way out,? said Zoli.
In addition to the seniors, freshman Brooke Kovacic, who Zoli described as a dominant two-mile runner for the girls, and junior Aaron Stuk, a hurdler and 200-meter runner for the boys, are also expected to contribute for the Wildcats.
Standing in the way of a league title for the boys will be Linden, who finished tied for third in the league last year. Zoli noted that they have great distance runners.
He added that Holly will also give both teams problems because of the amount of depth they have on their roster.
The teams opened up the season at the Eastern Michigan University Indoor meet, where Zoli said that the team had strong performances throughout the day.
They open up their final FML season in a dual meet against Swartz Creek and Linden at Linden on April 14, before showcasing their talents at the Oxford Invitational on Saturday, April 17 beginning at 9:30 a.m.