Coach: Patrick Ames

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

Returning state participants: Leyla Marino (sr. 4x100, long jump), Janessa Murphy (so. 4x100, 4x200, 4x400), Taylor Lunde (jr. 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, triple jump), Trinell Carpenter (sr. 4x200, 4x400), Kelsea Clark (sr. pole vault)

Others to watch: Jayna Edmonds (sr. distance), Sydney Gray (sr. distance), McKenzie Roque (jr. distance), Mimi Meggison (fr. distance)

Outlook: The Meridian girls' cross country team finished fourth at state last year, and with most of that team out for track, the Trojans should be strong in the distance events this year. Meggison, a freshman phenom, leads the way. "This could be the best distance group we've ever had," Ames said. But it would be the only area Meridian is strong in this year. The Trojans return three members of each of their three state relays from last year. "We have a lot of veteran state experience there," Ames said. "It's going to be a strength on the track. We don't have anybody with elite, state-champion speed individually, but the sum of those girls' talents should make us really strong on the relay level." Clark, Marino and Lunde all have state experience in field events, making Meridian "competitive" in the jumps, Ames said. The Trojans also will benefit from strong numbers with 45 athletes out this spring.

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