Lincoln Christian

* Coach: Sam Nelson.

* Boys returning letterwinners: seniors—Nathan Buresh, hurdles, relays; Seung Hoon Choi, shot put, discus; Alan Fagan, shot put, discus; Joe Manley, hurdles, jumps; Parker Moore, sprints, relays; Jameson Rexilius, 400, jumps, relays; Adam Smith, shot put, discus; juniors—Yong Choi, long jump; Steve Christensen, sprints; Jacob Gipson, high jump, middle distances; Brett Dieckmann, shot put, discus; Wes Negley, distances; Logan Williams, distances; sophomores—Brandon Camacho, middle distance; Ben Manley, jumps; Tyler Sutter, hurdles, sprints. Others to watch: Devin Paulsen, jr., shot put, discus, middle distance; Andre Orduna, fr., jumps, middle distance; Paul Watley, sr., 800; Kong Kang, so., hurdles.

* Boys outlook: The Crusaders have depth in the middle distances, the field events and hurdles. They’re solid,  but need to develop depth in the sprints and the distance events. Gipson finished tied for eighth in the high jump at state.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Shelby Bruce, sprints; Michaela Jameson, jumps, middle distance; Dana Williams, throws; junior—Kristen Humphrey, distance; sophomores—Morgan Dority, throws; Andrea Drake, throws; Bailee Dworak, sprints, jumps,; Erin McPherson, throws; Sarah Plambeck, sprints. Others to watch: Joelle Andersen, jumps, sprints, fr.; Heather Negley, sprints, fr.; Renee Williams, distance, fr.

* Girls outlook: Freshmen should add depth and quality to a strong returning nucleus. Plambeck was at state in four events last season — the Class C 100, 400, 400 relay and 1,600 relay. Jameson was a state qualifier in the triple jump and 1,600 relay (eighth), while Dworak was a member of the 400 relay that took fifth.

* Schedule: March 29—at Norris Relays. April 4—at Waverly Invitational; 11—at Syracuse Invitational; 15—at Tri County Invitational; 22—at North Bend Invitational; 25—at Aquinas Invitational. May 3—Centennial Conference meet; 8—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln East seniors—Adam Bassett, middle distance, distance; Harry Meginnis, sprints; Kevin Meyer, sprints; Mike Schinstock, middle distance, distance; Grant Duffy, middle distance, distance; juniors—Nate Gran, sprints; Nate Key, middle distance, distance; Jay Kilpatrick, pole vault; Jeff Morrison, pole vault; Andrew Shaw, high jump; Mike Weitz, middle distance, distance; sophomores—Kurtis Conkel, hurdles; Nick Masada, middle distance, distance. Others to watch: Hugh VonMinden, sr., high jump; Drew Sankey, jr., sprints.

* Coach: John Gingery.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: There’s added depth for the Spartans this year. Meginnis ran the 100 and 200 at state and Kilpatrick qualified for state in the pole vault. Schinstock, Bassett and Weitz return from a state-qualifying 3,200 relay.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Rachel Brenning, middle distance, distance.; Elizabeth Earhart, middle distance/distance; Michelle Fluitt, middle distance, distance; Alice Root, sprints;  Maggie Hedlund, middle distance, distance; juniors—Courtney Bulin, sprints; Madison MacLean, throws; Courtney Russell, hurdles, high jump; Devin Schultze, middle distance, distance; McKenna Slack, hurdles, high jump.; sophomore—Megan Leazer, hurdles. Others to watch: Hannah Kinberg, middle distance, distance, sr.; Britney Waller, middle distance, distance, so.

* Girls outlook: The Spartans have a strong core of middle distance and distance runners led by Fluitt, who was fifth in Class A at state last year in the 800 and 1,600. Root and Brenning joined Fluitt on the Spartans’ seventh-place 1,600 relay.

* Schedule: March 27—LPS Classic. April 4—at Papillion-La Vista South Invitational; 17—Harold Scott Invitational; 24—LPS meet. May 1—Heartland Athletic Conference; 7—-district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln High

* Coach: Rodney Droug (interim).

* Boys returning letterwinners: seniors—Isaiah Droug, hurdles, jumps; Cody McCarthy Fultz, springs, middle distance; Aaron Smith, sprints; Gabriel Smail, middle distance; juniors—Paul Pape, middle distance; Lonnie Temple, sprints, jumps. Others to watch: Muoch Bilew, sr., jumps; Alex Neukirch, jr., distance; Cooper Soto-Olson, distance; J.C. Lott, so., sprints.

* Boys outlook: Pape was fourth in the 400 last year at state and Temple and McCarthy qualified for state in the sprints. A strong group of sophomores and freshmen will add depth. The Links will also look forward to the return to practice of coach Bob White, who was injured in a Christmas auto accident.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Kayla Meskimen, sprints; Karis Parker, distance; Nakisha Smith, jumps;  Teonna Wimes, hurdles, jumps; juniors—Tressa Amerson, throws; Amanda Costello, distance; Shannon Harris, throws; Steph Ruppelt, jumps; sophmores—Janeigh Castillo-Barraza, throws; Emme Grafton, distance; Courtney Holder, sprints. 

* Girls outlook: Smith headlines the returners as the reigning Class A triple jump champion. Wimes placed eighth in the 300 low hurdles at state.

* Schedule: March 27—-LPS Classic. April 5—Grand Island Invitational; 12—Fremont Invitational; 17—Harold Scott Invitational; 24—LPS meet. April 1—Heartland Athletic Conference meet; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln Lutheran

* Coach: Sue Ziegler.

* Boys returning letterwinners: seniors—Bobby Brown, distance, relays; Andrew Hamann, sprints, relays; Ryan Huck, middle distance, relays; Matt Justus, hurdles, sprints, relays; Mark Ramel, distance; Kevin Raguse, distance, relays; Kyle Ziegler, shot put, discus; juniors—Thomas Taege, jumps, sprints, relay. Others to watch: Jesse Tobey, so., middle distance; Eric Beckman, fr., hurdles, jumps.

* Boys outlook: Brown, Hamann and Justis qualified for state last spring. It’s a stronger team with better depth and strong senior class.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—BreAnna Haessler, sprints; Angela Kuca, distance; juniors—Grace Farley, jumps, hurdles; Mandy Higgins, jumps, sprints; Amanda Kisker, middle distance; sophomores—Lydia Pomerenke, hurdles, sprints, jumps; Erin Wineman, sprints. Others to watch: Ashley Brozek, fr.; Emily Metschke, fr.; Paige Orth, fr.; Adrienne Langewisch, fr.; Jamie Sedlacek, fr.; Megan Tabor, fr.

* Girls outlook: Kuca, a three-time Class C state qualifier, is still sidelined with a stress fracture. She ran the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at state last season. Pomerenke qualified for state in the 100 hurdles as a freshman.

* Schedule: April 1—Nemaha Valley Invitational at Tecumseh; 8—Yutan Invitational; 15—Tri County Invitational; 22—Conestoga Invitational; 29—Archbishop Bergan Invitational; May 3—Centennial Conference meet; 8—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln North Star

* Coach: Matt Musiel. seniors—Payton Iverson, distance; Mike Shaw, high jump; Jordan Wilson, distance, relays; juniors—Justin Lewis, distance, relays; D.J. Battiato, Todd Wynne; sophomores—Choi Choi, distance, relays; Dillon Schrodt, Sam Housh. Others to watch: Adam Jochum, jr.; Jerry Key, jr.; Sidney Matlock, so.; Diego Green, so.; Eric Lorrison, so.; Creighton Morris, fr.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: Shaw finished seventh in the long jump at state, and the state-qualifying 3,200 relay team of Iverson, Choi, Wilson and Lewis returns.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Leenie Boardman; Lacey Pickering; juniors—Lindsey Cale; K. Kruse; Keshia Moore; sophomores—Victoria Bradley; Jenna Shoecraft. Others to watch: Sara Eastman, fr.; Patricia Bradley, fr.

* Girls outlook: Defending Class A 800 state champion Ashley Schnell graduated, as well as several other prominent seniors from a year ago. Boardman and Pickering are middle-distance runners who were on North Star’s eighth-place 3,200 relay at state last season.

* Schedule: March 27—LPS Classic. April 5—Omaha Benson Invitational; 11—Dick Jones Invitational; 17—Harold Scott Invitational; 24—LPS meet. May 1—Heartland Athletic Conference meet; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln Northeast

* Coach: John Snoozy.

* Boys returning letterwinners: seniors—Michael Rathje, Jeff Bohlken, Tyler Collier, Micah Meyers; juniors—Trevor Vidlak, Porter Groves, Zach Olson; sophomores—Yusef Wade, Thomas Guittar. Others to watch: Tyheime Pleasant, jr.; Paul Kreger, jr.; Cole Pensick, jr.; Jake Taylor, so.; Tyler Hahn, so.; Tat Kailech, fr.

* Boys outlook: At state last year, Olson qualified in the sprints, Rathje and Vidlak both qualifed in the 1,600 and 3,200, and Bohlken was 10th in the shot put. There are good numbers and LNE is looking to repeat as city champion. 

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Ciera Armstrong; Misam Ali; juniors—Caitlin Madden; Brittany Singleton;  Nicole Kubert; Nyarika Dobuony; Vicky Medley. Others to watch: Anna Guittar, sr.; Kayla Reyes, so.; Ashley Vandeman, so.; Sara Larson, fr.; Chante Williams, fr.; Jade Perry, fr.

* Girls outlook: With six returning state qualifiers and a talented incoming freshman class, the Rockets should be much improved.

* Schedule: March 27—LPS Classic. April 5—Grand Island Invitational; 10—Papillion-La Vista South Invitational; 24—LPS meet. May 1—Heartland Athletic Conference meet; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln Pius X seniors—Brandon Schlautman, Kramer Hyland, Ryan Toettger, Zach Simon, Jon Kriz, Austin Wehrwein, Ben Mattern, Zachg Hernbloom, C.J. Podany, Neil Hassler, Jake Kuehl, Zach Seier; juniors—Brandon Frey, Ben Magstadt, Ryan Stolzer; sophomores—Joe Castillo, Daniel Blake, Henry Mattern, Jeff Cassel. Others to watch: Derek Dubas, jr.; Stephen Springer, jr; James Brown, so.; Josh Bucsis, so.; Greg Portsche, so.; Taylor Kriefels, fr.; Michael Aylward, fr.; Mark Hugo, fr.; Nolan Border, fr.; Connor Britfelder, fr.; Zach Birkel, fr. 

* Coach: George O’Boyle.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: Schlautman finished was in the 800 at state and Hyland was a high jump qualifier. The Thunderbolts will have depth and some experience from last season.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Jordan Searcey; Claire Cuddy; Mollie Lacy; Hannah Zimmerman; Kellie Holtmeier.; Maggie Dolezal.; Kirsten Hahan; juniors—Katharine Lange; Tara Grosserode; Jessica Hugo; Ashley Meradith; Julie Ward; Natalie Braun; Lauren Cook; Veronica Benton; Jessica Richard; Kaitlyn Fische; Kayla Gaden; Liz Bachman; Cortney Kirby; Jamie Reed; sophomores—Alex Grant; Elle Ross; Haylee Vrbka; Claire Bertrand; Erin Statz; Rachel Washington. Others to watch: Leigh Connot, sr.; Claire Aylward, sr.; Clare Griffin, so.; Kelli Rice, fr.; Sarah Jones, fr.; Claire Garay, fr.; Ashley Patzel, fr.; Morgan Hoffman, fr.; Jennie Sayker, fr.; Sarah Tasler, fr.; Danielle Regan, fr.

* Girls outlook: The Thunderbolts will be a strong invitational team with the depth and experience they have. Six athletes qualified for individual events at Class A state last year — Lange (800, 1,600), Grosserode (100, 200), Grant (100, 200), Hugo (300 low hurdles), Meredith (3,200) and Bertrand (400). A strong distance crew, led by Lange, won the Class B state cross country title last fall. All six starters from Pius X’s Class B state volleyball championship team last fall are out for track, as are five of the top six players on the third-place girls basketball team.

* Schedule: April 4—Waverly Invitational; 10—Elkhorn Invitational; 17—Harold Scott Invitational; 25—Blair Invitational. May 2—Auburn Invitational; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln Southeast seniors—Mike Pettiford, middle distance, relays; Jon Zabel, relays; juniors—Cornell Lefler, relays. Others to watch: Patrick Schiffer, jr.; Spencer Edward, so.; Tyson Youngquist, fr.; John Jones, fr.; Johnny Claessens, fr.; Vincent Moravec, fr.

* Coach: David Nebel.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: With four state qualifiers returning, the Knights have some experience and will look to develop depth.

* Girls returning state qualifiers: seniors—Katie Birkel; Katie Nelson; juniors—KK Houser; Karley Piper; sophomore—Avarey Brown. Others to watch: Marissa Kastanek, jr.; Taylor Johnson, fr.; Samantha Karnes, fr.; Maddie Monohon, fr.

* Girls outlook: The Knights have star power in Birkel and Houser, another reigning state champion in Marissa Kastanek and the depth to put together some powerful relays.

* Schedule: March 27—LPS Classic.  April 5—Grand Island Invitational; 12—Fremont Invitational; 17—Harold Scott Invitational; 24—LPS meet; May 1—Heartland Athletic Conference meet; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Lincoln Southwest Jay Anderson, distance, middle distance; Matt Blankenau, distance; Vino Brown, jumps; Craig Easley, middle distance; Spencer Elliott, jumps; Austin Fritz, shot put, discus; Jason Heindrycks, middle distance; Dillon Jones, sprints; Logan Luke, pole vault; Dylan Ohlsen, middle distance; Rico Oliverso, middle distance; Nick Sawyer, sprints; Parker Schoen, distance; Jeremiah Sievers, hurdles; Zach Sims, distance; Baker Steinkuhler, shot put, discus; Graham Stoddard, sprints; Maurice Wegulo, jumps. Others to watch: Kyle Daniels, Schyler Kerns, Connor Marshall, Christian Sanderfer.

* Coach: Ryan Mahoney.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: Wegulo finished fifth in the high jump at state and Steinkuhler was ninth in the shot put. There are plenty of young athletes, but Mahoney doesn’t expect it to be a rebuilding year.

* Girls returning letterwinners: Kaleigh Anderson, sprints, jumps; Jeanette Arnold, distance; Bri Brestel, middle distance; Amanda Brown, sprints, jumps; Dani Cassidy, middle distance; Arianna Dye, hurdles, pole vault; Kayla Frazier, throws; Kylie Garrett, jumps; Eliza Hammond, middle distance; Sammy Hansen, sprints; Stacie Hansen, jumps; Jessica Kaltenberger, middle distance; Bailey Koziol, middle distance; Kami Moore, pole vault; Becca Nispel, hurdles; Maggie Packard, throws; Kristal Schuster, distance; Joslyn Soucie, hurdles.

* Girls outlook: Five state qualifiers return, led by Brown, who was second last year in the Class A high jump as a freshman. She also qualified in the 400. Hammond (3,200 relay), Koziol (3,200 relay), Moore (pole vault) and Soucie (3,200 relay, 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles) also competed at state last season. Others to watch: Diane Banderas, Kelsie Bonow, Sarah Faubel, Kaitlin Weskamp.

* Schedule: March 27—LPS Classic. April 4—Kearney Invitational; 10—Elkhorn Invitational; 18—Norfolk Invitational; 24—LPS meet. May 1—Heartland Athletic Conference meet; 7—district meet; 16-17—state meet.

Parkview Christian seniors—Patrick Tyrance, Lane Grone,  Willie Smith, Josiah Fuchser, Caleb Branding, Simon Bollinger; juniors—Philip Randall, Caleb Schmucker; sophomores—Joshua Schmucker, Augie Pena, Jordan Tyrance. Others to watch: Chris Hansen, fr.; Brandan Jensen, fr.; Brandon Okemba, fr.

* Coach: Carol Frost.

* Boys returning letterwinners:

* Boys outlook: This is an experienced and deep team. A fifth-place finish by Jordan Tyrance in the Class D, triple jump at state last season gives the Patriots something to build around.

* Girls returning letterwinners: seniors—Meghan Bernholtz, Deb Embree; juniors—Amy Strop; sophomores—Amanda Fuchser. Others to watch: Nicole Polivka, fr.; Deana Aden, fr.; Jennifer Elwood, fr.; Emily Smith, fr.; Breanna Borrenpohl, fr.; Hannah Welter, fr.; Sarah Mertens, fr.

* Girls outlook: Bernholtz, a state meet qualifier in 2007 in the high jump, leads the way.

* Schedule: April 1—Johnson County Invitational; 8—Lewiston Invitational; 12—MUDECAS at Johnson County Central; 21—McCool Junction/Tom White Invitational; 26—Frontier Conference meet; 29—Freeman Invitational. May 7—district meet; 16-17—State meet.

— Ryly Jane Hambleton and Ron Powell