Enthusiasm is palpable on the Ilwaco track team.

“We have a hardworking group of athletes who are ready to compete and improve,” said head coach Crystal Bell. “Consistent growth and improvement and some strong finishes postseason ended many of our athletes’ seasons with hopeful performances for this upcoming season.”

In her 15th year of coaching, her seventh at Ilwaco, she teams with long-time colleague Sarah Taylor, Melissa Nesbitt, who has previously coached middle school, and Kali Hood, a shot and discus specialist.

Bell and Taylor switch head/assistant coaching duties in the fall; both savor the opportunity to tutor student-athletes in two seasons.

“Cross country is great for all runners — building endurance and helping build late-race strength in sprints, as well as grit and mental toughness,” said Bell.

They are welcoming back three senior leaders who Bell describes as “determined multi-faceted athletes,” including Sammy Lloyd, who ran at November’s state cross country meet, and Wade Smith, who earned a fifth-place medal in wrestling in February.

Lloyd will run middle- and long-distance races and he and Smith will build a 4×400 meter relay squad, recruiting newcomers following the graduation of IHS stalwart Jacob Mathison. Bell noted that Smith is conscientious about teaching teammates good form in pole vault and high jump. He cleared 10-6 in pole vault to place sixth at the district meet last year and has leaped 5-0 in high jump.

Their classmate, Mya Cunningham, has qualified for state three times. She earned a relay medal as a freshman, ran the 800-meter the next year and the 1,600 final last year. “She shows strength and consistency daily, leading by example,” said Bell.

Cunningham is enthusiastic about her final season. “I am very optimistic,” the senior said. “I hope to continue in the mile and maybe run some shorter races, too.”

Two freshmen will boost the girls’ contingent. Distance specialist Elsa Linquist, who enjoyed a stellar cross country season, and Taylor Morrison, who runs sprints and the 400.

Field events will feature Caleb Brundage (javelin), Skylar Saltzman (discus), Gage Thorne (shot put), Lucas Skillings (javelin) and Rigo Gonzalez-Sebastion (all). “They are all strong throwers who will be key players in helping teach young and new-to-track athletes this season,” said Bell.

Seniors Blake Finlay and Carter Humphreys and sophomores Druv Athmanathan and Devin Day will boost distance-running ranks; at least four freshmen boys will participate, including Blake Eisbrenner, who qualified for state cross country last fall.

“We have a strong, enthusiastic freshmen group that is ready to push to new levels and lots of new faces out for the first time,” Bell enthused.

The philosophy at Ilwaco is to develop track experience in middle school. New Hilltop coaches are Alec Bell (Class of 2017) and more recent graduates Eliza Bannister and Estella Sheldon.

“We hope to continue to run the program in a way where athletes get to work with multiple coaches, especially when it comes to specialty events, where we have a wealth of knowledge around the track,” said Crystal Bell.

Ilwaco hosts home meets on March 27 and May 6; on the calendar is the state meet May 29-31.

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Ilwaco track

March 20 South Bend (a)

March 25 Ocosta (a)

March 27 Ilwaco (h)

April 3 Winlock (a)

April 16 Fort Vancouver (a)

April 22 Mossyrock (a)

April 25 Kalama (a)

May 1 Winlock (a)

May 6 Pacific Co. meet, Ilwaco (h)

May 8 Clatskanie, Ore. (a)

May 16 League meet, Raymond (a)

May 22 District meet, Chehalis (a) 3 p.m.

May 29-31 State meet, Yakima (a)

Meets begin 3:30 p.m.