The Mustang girls' track team has slipped its foot in the door with some of the elite teams in the state.
Last season, the Broncos finished in fifth place as a team at the state meet.
“I think last year we kind of showed everybody that we're ready to compete,” Mustang senior standout Lacey Rhodes said.
Relays are an element that have led to the success of the Broncos. Mustang is returning every member of its mile and two-mile relay teams.
“Our focus is always relays,” head coach David Lorenz said. “Whenever they quit doubling points for relays, we'll quit making it such a big deal.”
Mustang is strong in running events and field events. The only event MHS does not have success in is the pole vault.
The Broncos return a pair of state qualifying throwers in Mariah Garcia and Kelsey Graves for the shot put and discus. Rhodes has finished as state runner-up the previous two seasons in the long jump. She is also a sprinter and has worked on hurdles this season.
“I think we're more athletic than we've ever been,” Lorenz said.
Jamie Rateliff is a middle distance runner returning, along with Ashton Adams who will have success this season. Desharion Baldwin will help boost the team in sprinting events.
Freshman Emily Helms has joined the team to help out in the distance events, while sophomore Jordan Cox is expected to excel in the hurdles.
“We get a lot of kids that scored points at state back, so we hope to be better,” Lorenz said. “I think everybody is a year stronger and a year faster, so we feel like we've got a chance to really do some good things.”