DARLINGTON — With experiences athletes in Raquel Reuter, Abby Solverson, Zoie Zuberbuhler and Alyza Johnson for the girls and Carver Fitzsimons and George West for the boys, Darlington is looking to make some noise this track and field season.

“I think they [the athletes] have been working hard the last few years and are ready to show what they have,” head coach Patrick Reichling said. “Our athletes are going to have to be ready to spread out into multiple events at big meets to earn points needed for success.”

A season ago, the 4x800 relay of Solverson, Zuberbuhler, Reuter and Johnson placed fourth at state. Individually, Reuter was a conference champion in the 400-meter dash. West and Fitzsimons also return with state experience, as two of the four legs in the 4x400 fifth-place relay. In conference, Fitzsimons took home the high jump title.

These upperclassmen will be expected to lead a young, incoming group.

“The girls have a good group of upperclassmen that have been in the big meets,” Reichling said. “They will be able to help the younger athletes by pushing them and encouraging them along.”

Although these younger athletes will add depth to the Darlington roster, Reichling anticipates finding the best role for each Redbird to be a challenge.

“We will have a lot of young athletes joining the team this year that we will have to find places for,” Reichling said. “The more athletes we can have compete, the fresher our legs will be down the stretch.”

The SWAL will prove difficult yet again, with Cuba City as a frontrunner for the title. Reichling believes that each team will bring its own challenges, though.

“Cuba City will have good numbers, as well as athletes to challenge us in the conference. …” Reichling said. “The SWAL has always produced many state-caliber track and field athletes.”