Lawrence High track coach Jerry Skakal is more than pleased the Topeka West Relays are scheduled today.

With so many questions about this year’s squad, Skakal wants his athletes competing as quickly as possible.

“The Topeka West Relays is a great relay because you can bring anybody that breathes,” Skakal said.

Follow today’s T-West meet with a home dual March 31 — another chance to race anybody and everybody — and Skakal will have a much better idea about his squad before other coaches will.

For LHS, that’s a good thing. While some talent returns, it’s much less obvious than, say, super sprinter Chris Fulton, who won the 100-meter and 200-meter Sunflower League titles last year as a senior. Fulton was just one of a number of talented athletes to graduate, but the cupboard isn’t bare.

“I think we’re going to really struggle early trying to find ourselves,” Skakal said, “but we have a chance to be decent come league-regional-state time.”

For the boys, look for senior Drew Cummings to contribute points. Cummings took second in the 400 at league last year and is one of Lawrence’s top returnees.

“Drew’s got to be a stabilizing factor for us with the guys,” Skakal said. “He’s been here awhile.”

Cummings will be joined by Sylvester Birdsong in jumps, Ramin Zangeneh in pole vault, and Johnny Rathbun in sprints as the potential standouts in Lawrence’s 73-man squad.

Free State's Samantha Frisbie, left, and Ben Marshall, far right, and Lawrence High's Erin Knight, second from left, and Drew Cummings are ready for the track and field season to begin.

“There’s a few bits and pieces,” Skakal said, “but if you throw them together, it could add up to some points.”

The girls, even thinner with just 45 on the roster, will be led in field events by senior Erin Knight in the javelin and junior Megan Klingler at jumps. On the track, sophomore Amy Magnuson could make some noise on the hurdles.

Many of the Lions, though, are young and just dipping their feet in the sport.

“We’ve got a bunch of young, enthusiastic sophomores,” Skakal said. “It’s going to take some time for them.

“I’m the eternal optimist,” he added. “I’m looking forward to the season. They’re a good group of kids and they work hard. What more could you ask for?”

Free State

A core of talented athletes on the girls team has coach Steve Heffernan expecting big things.

“They’re going to be good all season long, but especially come postseason time,” Heffernan said. “We finished sixth at state last year, and I think we can do better this year.”

Four girls with impressive state performances a year ago are back. Leading the way is senior Sam Frisbie, the defending state champion in the high jump after beating out the 6A competition with a leap of 5-4 in Wichita a year ago.

Impact athletes joining her include seniors Lauren Abney (javelin) and Lacey Baxter (pole vault), and sophomore Alysha Valencia (distance). All four placed in the top five at state last year.

“Each one of those girls are going to be one of the top two or three in the state,” Heffernan said. “They’re all capable of being state champs.”

For the boys, distance appears to be the strong suit. Among those returning are juniors Danny Schneider and Alex Rock, both part of last year’s state champion 4×800 team. Schneider earned All-State honors in cross country this past fall, too.

Joining those two is senior Nick Squier, a transfer from Hays who also had success in cross country. In other events, Ben Marshall (sprints) and Ryan Rastock (hurdles) are showing potential to provide the Firebirds with big points.

Free State will open the season with an indoor meet at Nebraska Weslyan Friday in Lincoln, Neb.