By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - With the track season still more than a week away, local teams are doing their best to prepare for the up and coming meets this season.
The Buchanan boy's team only returns four runners from last year, but coach Joe Austin said his team has been working hard in the pre-season.
Team captains for the Bucks this year are Gordon Bryant and Jared Rusher, who are both in their fourth season with the track team and are key individuals, along with Dan Toth.
Bryant and Rusher both compete in sprints, relays and the high jump while Toth competes in hurdles.
Buchanan has a very young team this year and with so many inexperinced members, it is hard to predict just how well the Bucks will compete.
Buchanan has nine total underclassman and six upperclassman
The team weaknesses appear to be depth, sprints and field events.
Buchanan had an overall record of 4-5 last year and went 4-3 in conference and has a goal to have a winning record this year.
Teams to look out for in the Lakeland Conference are Berrien Springs, Coloma and Edwardsburg.
The Bucks open their season on April 11 at home against South Haven beginning at 4 p.m.
Niles girls' track coach Jami Foster said her team will be strong in field events this year.
Foster has high hopes for her incoming freshmen which include Autum Grayson who competes in middle distance, Sam Brawley in distance, Kaylynn Stephenson in sprints and Becky Kirschbaum in hurdles.
The Vikings finished last year's season with a 2-2 record in conference, 4-2 overall.
Niles' season begins at Lakeshore on April 14 at 4:30 p.m.