There are a lot of new faces around the Oak Harbor track this season and they start at head coach.

Gone is Seth Hodges. In are Kevin Allen and Jay Turner, both throwing and sprinting coaches, respectively for OHHS over the past five years.

“We’re splitting the head coaching duties by default,” Allen said.

The Wildcats also have several new assistant coaches, including Eric Petersen for distance and Summer Hill for jumping.

Not only are many of the coaches new, but so are several kids turning out.

“There are a lot of new faces, hopefully some will turn out to be good athletes,” Allen said.

The girls will return the most district competitors with six.

Key to success this year will be Jessica Brundidge (distance), Amanda Gordon (hurdles), Amy McElory (throws), Meghan Newsome (distance), La Paris Rush (sprints) and Jessica Gilbert (throws).

As usual the WesCo North is top heavy with Snohomish, Marysville-Pilchuck and Lake Stevens expected to lead the way. Despite the tough opponents, Allen thinks the girls can move up from a sixth place finish in league last year and ninth in districts.

“The girls will do pretty well this year,” he said. “I think we will move up to the middle of the pack in league.”

The boys bring back significantly less athletes in 2005, losing some to graduation and others to different spring sports.

Key returners include Nick Delprete (throws), Cameron Fuller (sprints/jumps), Olimar Hunt (sprints, jumps) and Randall Lawrence (sprints).

Distance runners Chris Wichers and David Marriott moved on to play soccer this year, leaving a hole in that spot.

“That hurts us,” Allen said.

There are, however, close to 50 boys that turned out and Allen hopes the numbers could increase over the next week.

“There are a few that are still straggling in,” he said.

The goal for the boys will no doubt be to move up from the last place finish they suffered at the 2004 league meet.

Because of poor track conditions and the lack of proper facilities at OHHS there are no home meets scheduled for this year.

The Wildcats will begin the season Thursday, March 24 with a jamboree at South Whidbey High School. They have their first real meet, Thursday, March 31 at Stanwood against Monroe and Stanwood.