Boys golf

Head coach: Mark Brown, first year

2009 finish: n/a

Key returners: Nick Gardner, freshman; Elijah Penny, sophomore; Hogan Randall, senior; Nick Bennett, sophomore; Joshua Myers, junior.

Impact newcomers: n/a

Reason to hope: Despite being a freshman, Gardner regularly shoots in the low-80s and will likely be a leader for this year’s team. In addition, Randall returns as the team’s lone senior and the team features four assistant coaches with significant experience in the sport.

Reason to fear: “We are young and not battle-tested in tournament golf,” Brown said. “We need three of our six varsity players to show up and join Nick with a good score.”

If you go to one game make it this one: Veritas Invitational, May 4, at Alvamar Public Golf Course

Coach speak: “Our student-athletes have already shown tremendous teachability, integrity and work ethic,” Brown said. “They are great young people and realize playing the game of golf is a God-given opportunity to grow personally. ”

Track and field (boys and girls)

Head coach: April Phillips, first year

2009 finish: n/a

Key returners: Ethan Kay, junior; Shereen Fataahi, junior.

Impact newcomers: Andrew Harvey, freshman; Madi Bennett, freshman.

Reason to hope: The Eagles are young, but in many instances, experienced. Most of the athletes have been in the program since its inception three years ago, and the team’s handful of upperclassmen should be supplemented by some talented freshmen.

Reason to fear: Youth will be a factor for the Eagles. Ten of the 12 members of the boys team this year are freshmen or sophomores, as are six of the eight members of the girls team, which could pose a problem against more experienced schools.

If you go to one meet make it this one: Veritas Invitational (high school and junior high), May 15, at Southwest Junior High.

Coach speak: “With a large number of freshmen moving up this season, especially on the boys side, this is the first year we will be able to field significant numbers in the open events and still be able to field some relay teams,” Phillips said. “Our primary goal, as it is for all of our athletic teams, is that we might glorify God with our words, actions and efforts. Secondarily, we desire for this young squad to see continued individual and team improvement over the course of this season for the purpose of building a strong base to develop a very competitive squad in the ensuing years.”