Coach: Ted Genger

Last year: Finished 10th at the NWC Championships. Finished seventh at 3A Northwest District meet. Did not have any placers at the 3A State Championships.

Returning state participants: Emma Bennett (sr. high jump)

Others to watch: Cece George (sr. sprints), Makalee Latta (sr. distance), Ali Gonzalez (jr. jumps), Cheyenne Joshua (so. sprints), Krista Berquist (jr. pole vault), Sarah Erdman (jr. sprints, throws)

Outlook: Ferndale's ability to score points on the girls' side is going to be "a little thin" this year, Genger said. It didn't always look that way, as the Golden Eagles were expecting big contributions from a talented group of freshmen. "We have a lot of freshmen," Genger said. "We have freakish freshmen we were expecting big things from, but they're all injured." Poor track conditions at Ferndale, where the Golden Eagles often are training on little more than concrete, have played a big part in the injury bug that has bitten their young athletes. Ferndale has a number of state hopefuls, including Bennett, who was 14th at state last year. George should anchor the sprints and relays for Ferndale, while Latta will do the same in the distance events. Gonzalez, who was injured in the high jump last year, moves to the hurdles and has looked good in early workouts, Genger said, while Erdman will add the relays to her throwing repertoire, much like her older sister did. Genger said Joshua also has come on strong in the sprints.

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.