The Blooming Prairie boys' track team has its work cut out for it if it hopes to repeat as Gopher Conference champs.

"We're a little shorthanded this season," said BP head coach Jake Jacobusse, "just because we don't have as many kids out. Plus we've had some injuries."

They also have to absorb the loss of Kyle Verley, who made it to state in both the 100- and 200-meter sprints.

Junior Steve Salinas looks to be the Blossoms' best hope for postseason success based on a fourth-place finish in the 110 high hurdles at sectionals last season. He also cleared 6-feet in the high jump while only a sophomore, which bodes well for this spring.

BP also looks for good things from its trio of seniors. Doug Wencl will be coming back out for track this season and figures to be the top distance runner. Gary Tschima, "a solid runner all the way around," in the words of Jacobusse, is the strongest in the 300 hurdles. Ben Hansen, whose specialty is the triple jump, rounds out the trifecta.

"We should be fairly competitive in every event," said Jacobusse, "except it'll be darn near impossible to fill out all of our relay teams."