Eight athletes who competed in the 2017 state 1A track meet return for Coupeville High School to give the Wolves a talented nucleus this year.

Coach Randy King, who welcomed 40 athletes this spring, said, “It is really exciting to see what this group accomplishes.”

Among the returnees is senior sprinter Jacob Smith, the school record holder in the 200 meters (22.41). Smith is the defending league champion in the 100 and 200 and placed third in the 200 and 10th in the 100 at the state meet last year. He also ran on the 4×400 relay team that took the Olympic League title and finished 12th at state. Senior Henry Wynn and junior Danny Conlisk also ran on the relay team and are back this spring.

Conlisk is the conference 400 and 800 champion.

Senior Ariah Bepler captured the Olympic League high jump title in 2017 and placed ninth at state.

On the girls side, two-time state qualifier junior Lindsey Roberts returns. Roberts ran the hurdles and relays at state and is the part of several school relay records.

Sophomore Mia Toomey-Stout is back to defend her Olympic League 100, 200 and 4×200 titles. At state, she teamed with Roberts and Mallory Kortuem on the fifth-place 4×200 relay team and the ninth-place 4×100 team.

Senior Lauren Baynes placed 13th at state in the high jump.

Among the key newcomers, according to King, are Sean Toomey-Stout, Zoe Trujillo and Christopher Ruck.

“As far as team goals are concerned, we aren’t asking too much from our athletes this season, just to run faster, jump better and throw farther than they ever have before,” he said jokingly. “Together, with some work and attention to technique, we can do this.”

The Wolves will compete in the Island Jamboree at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, in Oak Harbor. The first regular meet is 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, when Coupeville joins Olympic and Port Townsend at North Mason.

The Wolves’ lone home meet is 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, with Chimacum, Klahowya and Port Townsend.