Roncalli girls' coach Mark Stone is expecting similar numbers to last season, 25 girls in grades 9-12.
"We've been very fortunate to have strong numbers of participants from year to year," Stone said.
On the girls' side, the Cavaliers return a host of state qualifiers, including Paige Sommers (fifth, 200), and three relay teams, which placed. The 3,200-meter relay team won a state title, while the 1,600- and medley relay teams were fifth and sixth respectively.
Other state qualifiers include Abby Dockter (throws), Lindsey Hahler (hurdles and relays), Tage Hanson (relays), Brittany Holzer (relays), Mollee Karst (relays), Kendra Woytassek (1,600, relays), Erica Carrels (relays) and Hailey Kline (hurdles, relays).
In addition to a strong group of state qualifiers, Stone said there will be room for others to contribute as well.
"There are opportunities for younger athletes to step into some roles on the team," Stone said. "We have some talented young ladies at each grade level."
With so many experienced girls in so many events, Stone said a strength of this year's squad should be the amount of depth and balance the Cavaliers possess.
"Our ladies cover a majority of events with quality individuals in each one," Stone said.
As the season goes on, the team should find plenty of chances to improve from meet to meet.
"There are always opportunities for improvement," Stone said. "We'd like to strengthen our field events. One of our goals is to have at least three people prepared to compete in each individual event."
A new season brings new challenges and Stone is looking forward to the girls meeting whatever comes their way.
"It's an exciting time to begin a new season," Stone said. "There are 19 different events in track and field, so there is something for anyone wishing to try it. We certainly prepare to be successful in our conference, region and state meets."
Boys' coach Terry Dosch noted that numbers closely resemble last season, as well. The Cavaliers return a handful of state place winners, including Matt Swallow (fifth in both hurdle races), John Schwab (eighth, discus), Chad Hay (seventh, long jump), Austin Hannish and Dan Albl (3,200).
Others who qualified for state included Mitch Musel (triple jump), Tyson Mitzel, Layne Holzer, Lucas Lorenz, Dalton Cox, Austin Maag, Brayden Hilton, Brayden Sommers and Dominic King (relays) and Zach Schaefbauer (hurdles).
Dosch noted that the boys will also have many experienced people returning. That should translate to success in nearly every event.
"We will have good depth, be solid in distance, hurdles, throws, jumps and sprints," Dosch said.
The Cavaliers will need to have a quick turnaround from basketball season and get into a habit of turning in good times and distances.
"We need to get into track shape quickly and be consistent with our times and distances," Dosch said.
Faced with a fresh start, the Cavaliers are eager to see what lies ahead.
"We are looking forward to an exciting season of track and field, as it is always enjoyable to see who is up to the challenge of hard work at this time of year and their progress from last year," Dosch said.
2013 Schedule
March - 23, John Huth Invitational at Barnett Center; 26, Al Sahli Invitational at Barnett Center;
April - 4, at Whetstone Valley Invitational in Milbank, 3:30 p.m.; 9, at Rob Luecke Invitational in Groton, noon; 12, at Mobridge Rotary Relays, 3 p.m.; 18, at Redfield Relays, 10 a.m.; 23, at Groton Kiwanis Meet, noon; 27, at Ipswich Tiger Relays, 10 a.m.; 30, at Valley Queen Cheese Invitational in Milbank, 3 p.m.;
May - 3-4, at Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls; 4, at Ipswich Invitational, 10 a.m.; 7, at Miller Invitational, 11 a.m.; 11, at Northeast Conference Meet in Sisseton, 11 a.m.