Coach: Kent De Hoog

Last year: Finished ninth at the NWC Championships. Finished eighth at 1A tri-district meet. Finished tied for 25th at 1A tri-district meet. Finished 11th at the 1A State Championships.

Returning state participants: Marissa Hielkema (jr. 3,200), Madison Burke (jr. 4x100), Emily Sytsma (jr. 4x100), Madison Weg (so. 4x100, 4x200, high jump), Emily Visser (sr. 4x200)

Others to watch: Marissa Veldman (sr. distance), Hannah Wynstra (jr. throws), Sally Vlas (jr. jumps), Madison Wiese (so. sprints, hurdles)

Outlook: Lynden Christian returns three members of its seventh-place 4x100 relay from last year and was expecting the same number of returners from its 4x200 relay until Tarynn Haan went down with a season-ending knee injury. But De Hoog is confident his relays will be strong, once again. "We have some pretty determined relay kids coming back," De Hoog said. "If we get some young kids to step up, we should be pretty good." Hielkema should once again provide solid points in the distance events along with Veldman, who is a first-time track participant. Wynstra, who qualified for state as a freshman in the discus, also is back and is focusing on the javelin, De Hoog said. Like the boys' team, the LC girls mix plenty of inexperience with that core group of veterans. Of the 30 girls on the Lyncs' roster, 10 are freshmen, five are sophomores and two more are juniors participating for the first year. "It will be interesting to see where everybody fits in," De Hoog said. "Some aren't sure if they're going to be distance runners or sprinters, yet. We're young, but we feel we have some talent."

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