Twenty-three letter winners return to help the Oak Harbor High School girls track team battle in the Western Conference.

The Wildcats “should look to be in the middle to upper part of the league this year,” coach Eric Peterson said. “We have some returners who ran in the district meet last year that will be able to help our young crew throughout the season.”

That returning group is the team’s strength, Peterson said.

“We had a lot of sophomores and juniors qualify for the district meet, so they have the experience and know the level of work needed to succeed.”

Beyond the returnees, there is little experience, Peterson added.

“This season we have a lot of freshmen and first-year runners, so there will be a big learning curve for them.”

The returning letter winners are sprinters Sierra Seabolt, Janae Payne, Kiesha Watts, Priya Osborne, Matti Miesle, Alana Austin and Deja Bunch; distance runners Suzanne Kaltenbach, Jonalynn Horn, Carolynn Wicker and Laura Rodeheffer; hurdler Nalani Gabbert; throwers Taylor Deconzo, Kaylee Lamb, Kyanna Prosch and Jinai Guzman; jumpers Claire Anderson, Hayley Lundstrom, Stephanie Kolden, Zoeann Bassett and Amelia Berner; and pole vaulters Juliet Asperry and Rebecca Klestincoua.

Deconzo (javelin) and Lundstrom (high jump) placed fourth at the district meet in 2014, missing qualifying for state by one spot.

“The coaches are excited to see how this year starts to develop with all the younger athletes out this season,” Peterson said. “They bring a lot of excitement and energy, which will make for exciting meets.”

Oak Harbor opens the season with a jamboree at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Wildcat Memorial Stadium.

The Wildcats go to Glacier Peak at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, then host Lake Stevens at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2.