A lot of the names may have changed this spring for the Warsaw boys track program.

The high expectations for the team definitely have not though.

The Tigers look to continue on the recent run of stellar seasons. Warsaw has dominated the Northern Lakes Conference for the past several years, won its fourth sectional title a year ago and won its second straight regional championship and third in the last four years.

It’s a trend that coach Matt Thacker expects more us despite having to replace an incredible group of seniors from 2014.

“We have a lot of new faces, but the talent is there,” said Thacker. “Our expectations remain very high. We talked about that in our first call-out meeting. It’s a culture of being on top that we expect to continue.

“These guys are working very hard. They are competitive in nature. Our juniors and seniors recognize the challenge. They want to have something to say to add to their own legacy. It’s another large group of athletes this year who want to be part of something successful.”

Thacker expects returnees like Caleb Klusman (hurdles), Ross Armey (sprints, hurdles), Ben Plummer (throws) and Rashaan Jackson (long jump), along with distance performers like Owen Glogovsky, Daniel Messenger and Jon Beres to be key.  He also sees plenty to like in some new faces like Devin Childers, Brandon Reinholt, Will McGarvey, Jack Tucker and Trevor York.

“We have a lot of questions about who to put where,” remarked Thacker. “We will see. But, I’ve been very impressed with our senior leadership and how our young guys have bought into what we want from them. There’s a lot of potential in our new guys.”

Thacker admits that recent past has been a blur. Gone from that incredible run are the likes of Gabe Furnival, Tanner Balazs, Tristan McClone, Ryan and Chad Goon, Ellis Coon, Stephen Kolbe and Michael Miller.

“It sure went fast,” said Thacker. “Last year’s seniors will be missed because they were all in it for each other. It was a team atmosphere in what is really an individual sport.”

Wawasee will likely not have the pieces to win a bunch of dual meets this season. The team, however, have several pieces that should contend in the state tournament.

Seniors Clayton Cook, JJ Gilmer, Zach Cockrill and Jon Walker all return after making the regional round last season, Cook and Gilmer placing at state in a pair of events. Cook returns with the most decorations, having placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles at the state finals and owner of three Wawasee school records acquired during the season.

Cook was also a three-time NLC champion and sectional champ in the 110 hurdles during his stellar junior season. Gilmer was 12th in the state in the high jump in his second appearance in the state finals in the event. Gilmer also helped Wawasee’s 4×100 relay, along with Cook, Tyler Courter and Michael Pena, to a school record during the season.

Courter should help Wawasee with sprint depth, Gilmer should also be a factor in the long jump and Cockrill will make a final push in the 800 and 1600 runs, to which he finished fourth in the 800 at the St. Joe Regional last year.

Walker will headline Wawasee’s throwers after a fine junior season in the discus, where he placed sixth at the regional in a loaded field.

Senior Jake Hutchinson, junior Jaxon Bame and sophomore Cole VanLue should all provide Wawasee with valuable experience this season.

“It’s a very tough conference and an even tougher sectional,” said Wawasee head coach Scott Lancaster. “If your head isn’t screwed on tight to advance, you are not going to. It’s tough enough, but if you aren’t in it mentally and giving your best effort, it will be really costly. We had that problem last year with a few kids, which we are hoping to clean up this year.”

Tippecanoe Valley was third in the Plymouth Sectional in 2014. The duo of Neil Clampitt and Michael Thacker return to lead the Vikings. Clampitt was third in the 100 and fourth in the long jump at the sectional, while Thacker was fourth in the 100 and 200.

The Vikings will also look to returnees such as Aaron Hoffman, Jordan  Fraser, Deontee Smith,  Jared Mikel, Jonathan Fields, Shay Merley and Chris Secrist. Key newcomers include the likes of Dakota Parker,  Jonathan Daly, Will Ruff, Travis Shulll and Camden Tucker.