Milford girls track and field will be strong in field and distance.
Milford girls track gets a new head coach, but plenty of athletes are back to defend division and conference titles.
Eric Griffon takes over as coach. He's had 10 years experience with the team, but this will be his first in charge.
The Mavericks have quality returnees in every event.
Madison Paquette and Mallory Barrett were on the cross country team that placed fourth in the state and will lead the distance crew. Paquette had a top time of 5:21 in the 1,600 and 11:32.4 in the 3,200 last year. Barrett ran a 5:21.6 in the 1,600 and a 2:25.3 in the 800.
Heading the field events are Dana Shove and Brynne Gustafson. Shove threw 34-2 in the shot and 128-6 in the discus. Gustafson threw 35-3.75 in the shot and 101-3 in the discus. Whitney Mergens jumped 5-5 in the high jump and 17-6 in the long jump. Brenna Lovera went 16-2 in the long jump.
Jillian McGinnis will lead the hurdles after going 16.8 in the 100 and 50.3 in the 300. Elexa Cary went 17.2 in the 100 and 51.8 in the 300.
"Both are hungry and looking to improve this season," Griffon said.
Sarah Ausum (2:23.47 in the 800) will team with Barrett and Gabrielle Byndas in the middle distance events.
Evelyn Zielinski is the top returning sprinter (26.7 in the 200, 13.2 in the 100).
"The strength of our team is the distance and field events," Griffon said. "We have great depth and top-tier talent in these groups and they will need to carry our team if we hope to complete at the high level the coaches expect."
While the distance crew is deep, the loss of Rachel Barrett will be huge. She was a state contender every year in cross country and track.
"She is a school record holder and can not be replaced with one person," Griffon said. "It will take the efforts of our entire distance crew to fill her very big shoes."
Also graduated are Alyssa Byndas in distance and sprinters Daniella Allen and Yasmine Hassan.
"An area of weakness for us is our sprinters, due to the loss of Allen and Hassan," Griffon said. "Younger athletes, as well as more versatile ones, will need to step up."
Griffon expects Brighton to be the top challenger in the division and the two teams battle in the first division meet of the year. Also in the Lakes Conference, Waterford Mott and Lakeland should be strong.
"The Milford track and field program always sets high expectations for the program," Griffon said. "We know how to win and that it takes hard work, dedication to your craft and perseverance through the difficult times. If we can stay healthy, I expect this team to challenge for the KLAA West and conference titles again this year.
"We take great pride in our accomplishments last year, but we know that nothing will be handed to us this year. In fact, it will be even more difficult to win with everyone gunning for us. We are ready for the challenge and look forward to another great year."
5/15 at Milford (regional), 1 p.m.