Depth, like in 2016, will be a key to success for this spring’s Oak Harbor High School boys track team.

The Wildcats won only one event in last year’s league meet but finished second as a team because of its deep pool of talent. Oak Harbor went on to place fifth in district and 25th at state.

Coach Jay Turner sees a similar storyline playing out this season.

Twenty-six lettermen return on a squad of nearly 80 athletes.

Among the returnees is the lone league champion, junior Mac Nuanez, a first-team, All-North selection in 2016 and winner of the 400-meter title. He placed 14th in the event at state.

Also back are Garren Guerrero (long jump) and Kyle Nickols (high jump), second-team, All-North selections last spring. Jordan Washington (high jump) earned honorable mention.

Nuanez, Washington, Andrew Miller and TJ Passmore took second-team honors as members of relay teams.

Other returning letter winners are Jordan Bell, Chris Brooks, Chris Brown, Michael Fisken, Ben Gasper, Thomas Gilham, Jake Hucko, Ozell Jackson, Matthew Kolden, Michael Lym, Darien Matsushita, Brandon McCollough, Tre McCray, Immanuel McLaurrin, Collin Nickols, Wyatt Pauley, Joseph Ralston, Josh Stone, Weston Whitefoot and Cullen Wood.

Isaac Gomez, Dorian Hardin and Jack Landau are the early standouts among newcomers, Turner said.

The size of this year’s squad will help overcome “replacing a lot of very good track athletes” who graduated from last year’s team, Turner said.

“Goals are to improve every week and have a lot of fun,” Turner said. “We want the kids to all have a good experience while getting in shape and getting faster and stronger.”

Oak Harbor begins the season by hosting the Island Jamboree at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16, and then goes to Mount Vernon at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23.