Last year every PISD track team had at least one competitor at the state track meet. With many of those athletes back in the fold this year, there appears to be no reason they will not be just as succesful a year.

Connally Cougars

Coach: Kevin Ellison

Last year: District champions, Keith Benford tied for first in high jump at state.

Returning: Brian Washington (district champion in 100-meter relay and 400 relay), Brandon Pittman (district champ in 100 and 400 relays), Jacael Davis (district champ in triple jump and 110 hurdles), Aaron Bynum (regional qualifier in discus), Anthony Bryant (regional qualifier in 100 and 100 relay), Deon Gaddy (regional qualifier in high jump) and Ashton Deshaw (regional qualifier in shot put).

New faces: Trayvis Rice, Dion Martin, Jonathan Haywood, Dadrian Gage, James Revada and Jerrel Yarbrough.

Strengths: Senior leadership and team chemistry.

Concerns: Lack of depth.

Keys: “Our success this season will be based on health and focus,” Ellison said.

Hendrickson Hawks

Coach: Adrian Woodson

Last year: Third in district, ninth at region.

Returning: Zach Caballero, Juan Asencio, D.J. Kirby, Joshua McKinney, Deionta James, Kendall Clanton, Hector Flores, Oliver Smith-Perin, Brandon Bedford, Brandon Perkins, Jeramy Triplett, Kenny Williams and Terrence Simmons.

New faces: Daje Johnson, Deeq Shaikhali, Quintin Wycoff, Royzell Gothwright, Stephan Hairston, Taylor Smith, Thomas Suh, Jordan Ward and Tommi Robins.

Strengths: “I believe this will be our most balanced team since we’ve opened the doors to Hendrickson,” Woodson said.

Keys: “Keeping the team goal in mind,” Woodson added.

Pflugerville Panthers

Coach: Louis Kelley

Last year: Six regional qualifiers.

Returning: Drew Travis (regional qualifier in 800), Caleb Davis (regional qualifier 800), Michael Bowser (district champion 300 hurdles), Kizito Njoku (district champion long jump) and Tyrus Thompson (district champion shot put).

New faces: George Murochkis, James Hilliard, Jamal Lee, Desmond Smith, Demsond Ross, Yusef Khan and Savon Thomas.

Strengths: Senior leadership.

Keys: “Our goal is to improve from week to week and make a strong showing in district,” said assistant coach Bradley Laroche. “Coach Kelley is bringing an excitement for winning to the team that is contagious. The kids are excited and working extremely hard to make this a great year for the Panthers.”

Girls

Connally Cougars

Coach: Katie Howerton-Landry

Last year: Brittany Roberts reached state meet in shot put.

Returning: Roberts, Megan Matthews, Bianca Williams, Tierra McCaster, Simi Aliu and Cindy Okpegbue.

New faces: Dominique Mays, Caren Brown and Kashayla Coleman.

Coaches comments: “We have a group of seniors who have been with the program since they were freshman and have experience to pass on to the rest of the team,” Howerton-Landry said. “We are a young team with a lot of talent. With hard work and another year of experience, these young ladies will be successful on the varsity level.”

Hendrickson Hawks

Coach: Smyrna Melvin-Young

Last year: District champions. Natasha Masterson state champion in pole vault, 200-meter relay team placed sixth at state.

Returning: Tasha Mayne, Erica Greene, Kaneisha Jones, Kiana Burgess and Karissa Gravesmill.

New faces: Shavona Tavarez and Kayla Brown.

Strengths: We have a a solid amount of girls returning and are the heart of the program,” Melvin-Young said. “We are looking good with our talented freshman. They have already stepped up and made a stand that they are ready to earn their spot on the team.”

Coaches comments: “I am very excited about the stat of this season,” Melvin-Young added. “We have so many possiblities for success with this group of young ladies. I think we are in store for a few surprises.”

Pflugerville Panthers

Coach: Tamika Fagan

Last year: District champions. LaTreece Moorer fifth at state in high jump.

Returning: Kaylah Burton (regional qualifier), Monia Clark (regional qualifier), Aisha Fuller (regional qualifier), Sarah Foley (regional qualifier), Christie Mooney (regional qualifier), Carly Gibson, Itiana Taylor, Melissa Salinas (regional qualifier) and Danielle Aiken (regional qualifier).

New faces: LaShawnda Simmons, Moyra Tran, Jessica Gibson, Vera Walker, Destiny Owens, Diana Omozee, Alyssa Murphy, Kimberly Cardena, Taliyah Brooks, Jasmine Brooks, Kristen Gonzalez and Haley Vander Laan.

Strengths: “We have a fairly young team with a lot of talent that has the potential for tremendous growth,” Fagan said.

Concerns: “Although we have a lot of quality, the overall team count (number of athletes) has dropped,” Fagan added.

Coaches comments: “I am looking forward to an interesting and competitive season,” Fagan said.