LAKEVILLE - With 15 letterwinners returning, the LaVille girls track and field team has high expectations for the 2024 season. In fact, the Lancers have more depth and versatility for the coming season. Coach Erin Ecker's squad did graduate four from the roster a year ago - Lauren Edison, Myra Garcia, Lucy Sherk, and Jorryn Zellers. Edison led the team in hurdle competition, Garcia the middle distance runs, Sherk led the team in points scored and was the three-time sectional champion and regional qualifier, and Zellers helped in the distance races. LaVille finished off a 7-2 dual/triangular meet season. LHS won Lancer Relays, finished second at Dennis Rippy Relays, third at Hoosier North Championships, and 10th at Lady Kingsmen Relays. A trio of athletes - Brooke Edison, Moriah Richhart, and Sherk - were also regional qualifiers. Sherk led in points scored after collecting over 90 points from shot put and discus. Brooke Edison and Richhart are among top returnees. Oftentimes, field events got LaVille off to a strong start during the season.  From discus and shot put to high jump, long jump, and pole vault the Lancers had a strong 2023. "Madi Singleton had an impressive freshman season and was our second leading scorer in field events," said Ecker. "She picked up nearly 50 points in pole vault and long jump, we expect to see her continue and improve upon that this season.  Brooke Edison was our third (leading scorer) picking up 34 points in the high jump. Moriah Richhart wasn't far behind contributing nearly 30 points in shot put and discus. Richhart and Edison were also Regional Qualifiers last year, and these three will be expected to lead field events again." According to Ecker, Richhart is expected to be joined by Reagan Bollenbacher, Ava Barrett-Heaton, Dennilyn Markin, and Charlee Gonzalez. "Brooke will continue to lead the high jump, (though) we have a few others trying things out," said the 6th-year Lancer girls coach. "We have several young athletes trying out long jump to help Madi. Reagan Mitchell has been a quick study at pole vault and should be scoring early in the season. They will also be joined by Hallie Hulsey, which is phenomenal because many schools don't have one vaulter and we have three!" Turning to the track side, Ecker expects a level of depth to surface as the coaches look at times to find which athlete fits into the scoring best. "As far as running events go, we have considerable depth this year," explained Ecker.  "The first few weeks will be a sort of plug and play to see how everyone competes, and what combinations will yield the most points.  We have some very versatile runners that could be sprinters one week then mid-distance the next, that will help fill the gap (graduate) Myra Garcia left. Lauren Edison was our number-one hurdler. Her absence will be hard to fill, but we have a slew of runners eager to run those this year. As far as relays are concerned, we have some combination of last year's team returning which has been great for chemistry, especially in the 4x100 with (Mihalah) Kuskye, (Mackena) Deason, Singleton, and (Lily) Smith." Ecker spoke highly of the practice atmosphere, especially lately.  "The last 4 weeks have been impressive," said Ecker. "We have a good crew of nice kids, strong student-athletes, and kids willing to work. It should be a fun season if everyone can stay healthy over the next 6 weeks! The 2024 goal is to finish strong as we exit the HNAC, and to get as many girls to advance in the state tournament as possible, winning some of the invites on our schedule would also be good!" When asked about which athletes to watch this season, Ecker pointed in several directions. "Edison is our top points earner from last year and a jack of all trades. We could toss her into any event and she will compete," says the LHS coach. "Madi will continue to be a top competitor for us. Richhart will lead the throwers, but we could use her on the track, too. London Kwiatkowski and Lily Smith are both looking strong and healthy and will play vital roles in the sprints and relays as they compete in their senior seasons. "Kuskye is much healthier than last year, she advanced in the 400M as a freshman, and it would be great to see her earn that back. Jessica Keb is a strong runner who has the potential to be a beast and throw up some serious points. Barrett-Heaton has put in the work in the off-season and those gains will help us out in the longer races and hopefully the throwing rings.Deason, Mitchell, and Hulsey have been strong since day one. Wagoner, Miller, Tolbert, Johnston, Brant, and Baker have all had strong showings this week. We are not counting anyone out." LaVille is scheduled to open the season against Triton at Plymouth on April 5.  Field events start at 5 p.m. Runners take your mark . . .  2024 LAVILLE GIRLS TRACK & FIELD Head Coach: Erin Ecker (6th year at LaVille) 2023 Dual/Triangular Meet Record: 7-2 (Lancer Relays champion)  Letterwinners Lost: (4) - Lauren Edison, Myra Garcia, Lucy Sherk, Jorryn Zellers Letterwinners Returning (15) Seniors - Ava Fuchs (mid-distance), London Kwiatkowski (sprints), Lily Smith (sprints). Juniors - Ava Barrett-Heaton (throws), Reagan Bollenbacher (throws), Mackena Deason (versatile), Brooke Edison (high jump, versatile), Jessica Keb (versatile), Mikalah Kuskye (sprints), Moriah Richhart (throws) Sophomores -  Macie Edwards (distance), Ava Miller, Madi Singleton (pole vault), Myleigh Tolbert (hurdles), Ragen Wagoner (versatile) Newcomers: (11) Freshmen: Allonah Baker (sprints, hurdles), Gracie Garrett (sprints), Charlee Gonzalez (throwing), Hallie Hulsey (sprints, pole vault), Denni Markin (throwing), Sarah Tharp (sprints, long jump). Sophomores - Kendra Brant (sprints), Alyssia Johnston (mid-distance), Kenzie Menting (hurdles, mid-distance). Junior: Reagen Mitchell (pole vault, springs). Senior: Maria De Las Heras Lucena (sprints, long jump). Opener: April 5 v. Triton at Plymouth, 5 p.m. 2024 LAVILLE GIRLS TRACK & FIELD April 5 v. Triton @ Plymouth, 5 p.m. April 9 v. ELKHART CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, 5 p.m. April 11 @ South Central, 5:30 p.m. April 18 v. Triton @ Knox, 5:30 p.m. April 20 @ Goshen Relays, TBD April 23 v. MC MARQUETTE, WINAMAC @ LAVILLE, 5:30 p.m. April 26 v. LANCER RELAYS @ LAVILLE, 5:30 p.m. April 30 v. Jimtown @ Bremen, 5 p.m. May 3 @ Dennis Rippy Invitational, 5:30 p.m. May 7 Hoosier North Athletic Conference Championships @ Knox, 5:30 p.m. May 14 IHSAA Sectional @ Mishawaka, TBD May 21 IHSAA Regional @ Kokomo, TBD May 31 IHSAA State Finals @ Indiana University, TBD Home meets in CAPS