POULSBO — Toward the end of last year, Kolby Hoover of the North Kitsap track team surprised his coaches and himself with a 53-second run in the 400, a time that would have placed him toward the top of the state.

This year, North Kitsap hopes to surprise the rest of the Narrows League.

“We have lots of talent,” said Hoover, one of the team’s captains, at a recent practice. “It’s spread evenly. We have good people in all areas, like (distance) running, sprinting, throwing, jumping …”

Hoover has dedicated himself to the 400 this year (although he will still vault the hurdles).

The coaches, in turn, have dedicated themselves to getting the most out of the athletes who have tried out for track. After a hectic few weeks, they are starting to get a sense for the talent they have.

“Things are starting to settle down,” said a breathless Helen Smith at a recent practice. Smith is the new head girls’ coach, and Tim Adams, who has coached the throwers for years, is the new head boys’ coach.

Smith, a former collegiate track athlete, is excited by the team’s young talent.

“There are a few seniors, but we also have a strong junior and sophomore group — a lot of kids who haven’t done track. I had some gymnasts come out, some kids who normally do other sports.”

The team will have plenty of talent on the track, including boys Hoover, Jim Robson and Michael Chuol in the distance events, and sophomores Caleb Penn and Miles Hankins doing sprints; on the girls’ side, Mariah Hanson is a runner Smith says has great potential, and captain Meghan Clark will also circle the track for the Vikings, as will Divina Ormsby, who runs long-distance events.

Throwing has long been a North Kitsap strength, and this year should be no exception, especially the return with javelin-tossing Amber Markwick, who placed 14th in state last year.

“Amber’s already throwing further than she did all of last year,” coach Adams said. She is not the only thrower to distinguish herself in the preseason, though; Ty Hildebrand, who throws the discus and shot, and Ben Bruce have both been throwing well in March — “All three look great,” Adams said. He is also excited to have some young talent on the team including sophomore Brian Hultman, junior Leo Pendergraft, who has taken up the javelin, and Hannah Bryant, another javelin thrower.

“I’ve got good seniors, and a ton of sophomores,” Adams said. “The sophomores I have are looking pretty good, too.”

Hoover, Robson, Sargeant, Clark, Ormsby, and Markwick will be the team’s captains

Adams and Smith will be joined by assistant coaches Lee Hodin and Dave Snyder, who will help prepare the team for its first competition, a March 15 home meet with Gig Harbor. Mark Lunsford is also helping to coach the track athletes.