By TRACY WATSON

WELLSBURG — There is good news and bad news for Coach Paul Julio’s Brooke High boys’ and girls’ track teams.

The bad news is that the Bruins graduated a ton of seniors last year, wiping out a lot of three and four-year athletes had had lent experience to younger athletes. However, the good news is that there is a boatload of newcomers to both squads that can begin the growing process this season.

While the boys’ have a roster jam-packed with 34, the girls are loaded up with 20.

“We were hit very, very hard by graduation last year,” Julio said. “But we have a lot of kids, and a lot of athletes out for the two teams this year, so I think that we will be fine, it may just take a little bit of rebuilding.”

There are three returning seniors who will be looked upon for leadership including sprinter Derek Jenkins, who has experience in Charleston, Austin Kemp and Noah Talbott.

Juniors on the roster are Ezekiel Farmer (sprints), Jonathan Gallagher, Tyler Harrell, Matthew Harvey, Kyler Haynes (throws), Jaycon Hodgkins, Adam Long (throws), Colby Merrill, Anthony Ptaszek, Ethan Secrist (sprints) and Kiel Wilson (distance).

Sophomores include William Barney, Brett Brown, Josh Caswell, Collin Deojay, Cameron McAllister, Jonathan Radcliffe, Aleksey Rasz and Nathaniel Richard. A big freshman class has John Bober IV, Nick Brucchi, Max Camilletti, John Ewing, Josh Ferguson, Jeff Hart, Noah Horvath, Gage Keener, Riley McAllister, Ryan Richard, Brennan Secrist and Noah Wilson.

Senior sprinter Jena Riccelli paced the girls squad that also has classmates Emily Bernardini (distance), Victoria Pelchuck (sprints) and Amy Rine (throws); juniors Sydney DeFranco (distance), Makayla Kozara (sprints), Sophia Perrone (distance), Sierra Sesto (sprints), Raelee Snyder (sprints), Kiara Stevens (sprints) and Aryanna Talbott.

Sophomores are Rachel Clayton, Emily Donley, Kaycee Grzybek and freshmen Bryanne Clayton, Savannah Grooms, Autumn Shifflett, Samantha Slivka, Hailee Vizyak and Yazmin Williams.

“I know that it may take a little time to get all these kids where they fit best and into the events that they can help us the most, but I really believe when we get everything figured out we have a chance to be pretty good both on the boys’ and girls’ sides,” Julio said.

March 24: Steubenvile Early Bird 9 a.m.

March 28: Beaver Local 4:30 p.m.

March 30: at Indian Creek 4:30 p.m.

March 31: at East Liverpool 5 p.m.

April 4: at Oak Glen 4:30 p.m.

April 6: at Edison 4:30 p.m.

April 8: Dick Dei Invite 9:15 a.m.

April 11: at Weir 4:30 p.m.

April 13: Indian Creek 4:30 p.m.

April 15: at Parkersburg 9 a.m.

April 18: at Wheeling Park 4:30 p.m.

April 22: Brooke Relays 9 a.m.

April 25: Steubenville/SCC 4:30 p.m.

April 27: Oak Glen Invite 4:30 p.m.