The girls track team kicked off the new season with a jamboree on Saturday.

The Spartans are scheduled to host the Auburn Mountainview Lions at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19 for the first meet of the season.

Coach Kristin Chapman is returning for her eighth season at Sumner and her seventh as head coach of the Spartans.

Chapman said the team lost eight seniors from last season.

She said the Spartans have a full roster entering the new season.

“We are in a new league and are looking forward to a new challenge,” Chapman said.

She said athletes to keep an eye on this year are junior Emma Bakke, senior Alyssa Murray, senior Khenya Dean, sophomore Rhaven Dean, senior Alexandra Espinda, junior Madison Coates, junior Kristen Immel, senior Rachel Stowell, senior Emma Gibson, junior Kinsey Saiz and senior Mattie Anderson.

New faces to watch this year, Chapman said, are freshmen Emma Sjolund and Emma Potts.

Last year, the Spartans finished first in the South Puget Sound League 2A for the second year in a row.

Chapman said Sumner also finished the season second at the districts meet.

Seven individuals and three relay teams qualified for state last season.

The 4X4 relay team, Chapman said, placed second at state.

She added, everyone from that team is returning.

“We are in a unique situation where we have a clean slate,” she said. “We are going against new teams in a new league. (And) we are up for and excited about the challenge.”

Boys Track

The Sumner boys season also began with a jamboree on Saturday.The boys will also start the season off, hosting the Auburn Mountainview Lions at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19.