Twelve lettermen, including eight seniors, will form the nucleus of this year’s Oak Harbor High School boys track team, while the girls team is young, yet talented.

For the boys, senior Donovan Hunt, who battled injuries all last spring after finishing second in the state in the long jump as a sophomore, headlines the senior class. Hunt should also be one of the league’s top sprinters.

Senior Rashaad Smith returns after placing fifth in the league meet in the triple jump; he will also run the 400.

Sophomore Josiah Miller placed seventh in the league in the 200 last year and will join Hunt in the long jump and sprints.

Other returning senior letter winners are Matt Bolte (middle distances), Austin Church (discus, javelin), Derrick Clarit (sprints, jumps), Jason Curles (sprints), Josh Higbee (sprints, long jump) and Josh Sayre (400).

Oak Harbor also returns three who lettered last year as freshmen: Justin Everett (sprints, shot put), Chris Opdyke (400, 800) and Matt Reith (distances).

Coach Jay Turner isn’t sure how his team will stack up this year: “It’s hard to say until the first meet.”

He added, “We have a lot of kids out (about 120 between the boys and girls teams) and a lot of new faces. The kids are working hard and have a great attitude.”

For the girls, two state competitors lead this “young but talented” team acccording to coach Eric Peterson. Senior Shantae Young, the returning league 100 meter champion, qualified for state in the 100, long jump and triple jump last spring. Junior Allison Duvenez competed in the 300 hurdles at state last year.

Other top returning letter winners include Adrianna Royal (800), Abby Leete (3,200), Christina Alexander (100), Maura McKole (200 and 400), Amanda Alvarado (shot put), Dominque Jackson (discus) and Janelle Yoshimoto (javelin).

Peterson listed freshman Naomi Walker (100 and 200) as a key newcomer, then added, “There are so many talented ladies out this season we’re looking forward to our first meet at South Whidbey to see the breadth of our athletes.”

Peterson added, “Overall it should be an exciting season. The girls’ team covers almost all of the events with strong athletes so the Oak Harbor girls should be competitive this season.”

The Wildcats travel to Langley Thursday, March 18, at 3:45 for South Whidbey High School’s Island Jamboree.