2006 Season: 2nd place NEMC

Coach: Rick Frank

Top Returning athletes: Chelsea LeForce, sr. (distance); Holly Mester, sr. (distance); Noelle Mester, sr. (distance); Heather Villarreal, jr. (distance); Maggie Edward, so. (hurdles); Amber Schmitt, sr. (sprints, high jump); Brittney Stein, so. (sprints); Selina Tabayoyong, jr. (sprints); Jennifer Valley, sr. (sprints, pole vault); Alissa-Sue Clark, jr. (throws); Alicia Clelland, sr. (throws); Kelsi Rutherford, jr. (throws) Kami Shields, jr. (throws); Kayla Brindley, so. (throws).

Outlook: The Falcons finished a scant seven points behind John Glenn for the league title last year (211-204.5) and while they did lose a two-time state champion in Jessica Rutherford, enough of quality athletes return to give Ogemaw a serious shot at making up that ground.

"It looks as if we will field a team of over 40 girls," says coach Rick Frank. "This is the first time since soccer and freshman softball started that I can say that."

The most obvious strength is in distance events, where state finals qualifiers Holly Mester, Noelle Mester and Chelsea LeForce look to sustain the excellence they've consistently showed the past three years, as well as develop what Frank called "some nice young talent."

The sprints lost a major contributor in Laura Budge, and Frank is looking to returners Selina Tabayoyong and Brittney Stein to lead the way.

"Selina has been a solid force for us in the relays," he says. "She needs to step up in the individual events this year. I'm also hoping Brittney will take another step forward and be a big factor come league (finals) time."

Sophomore Maggie Edward had a strong freshman season in the hurdles and is the lone returner there. In the throws, the Frank hopes to make up for Rutherford's graduation with balance among six returners and some promising freshmen.

"This will be the most competitive group for making the top three," he says. "I could see this changing weekly."

Stein and Jennifer Valley are returners in the pole vault, while Amber Schmitt is the top returning high jumper. Long jump is another area with questions as little experience returns.

"We have a lot of inexperienced athletes out right now," Frank says. "We just need some time to see what develops. Distance, hurdles, high jump and throws all look at least OK right now.

"Our goal always is to have all the girls work hard and improve through the course of the season and field a competitive team. We also want to retake the top spot at the NEMC championship meet. I feel John Glenn will again be favored but I also feel it has the potential to be a very competitive league meet this year -- I don't think it will be a two-team race like the past couple of years."