ESCANABA — With many underclassmen on their track team, the Escanaba boys appear to be an unknown quantity coming into this season.

The Eskymos have 36 on their team, including plenty of freshmen.

They open at Menominee today at 4:30 in a meet which includes Rapid River, Stephenson, Ishpeming and Westwood.

“We have nearly a whole new crew, although we have some very strong seniors coming back,” said coach Scott Dykema, who’s entering his fifth season at Esky. “Nearly half of our kids are freshmen, but they’re coming in with a great attitude and are working very hard. We have plenty of kids to work with. I think we have a strong group. We’re pretty happy with this team.”

One day Dykema announced the team was in need of hurdlers and was pleasantly surprised by the response.

“A few kids raised their hand right away,” he said. “We have five hurdlers for the first time in quite a while and they’re all freshmen. They’re willing to try anything.”

Esky also returns junior and defending Upper Peninsula Division 1 pole vault champ Dayton Miron.

“Dayton is just a hard worker,” said Dykema. “He went to a pole vault camp last summer and is looking real strong. We’re also looking for Dayton to help us in the sprints.”

Senior returners are Gabe Smith in the weight events, Kyle Gendron (weight events, high jump and sprints), Brett Guindon (sprints and shot put) and John Stevenson (middle distance).

“John has been with us for four years and Kyle is looking incredibly strong this year,” said Dykema. “Our new guys are working on relay exchanges. It’s a work in progress, but this is such a positive group of kids. We see a lot of talent on this team. We’ll see what happens, but their work ethic is definitely one of our strengths. The kids are willing to work with us anyway they can.”

Dykema says several sophomores have also shown promise. Among them are Kahler Geyer (weight events and sprints), Derek Douglas (distance), Brandon Frazer (high jump) and Brodey Bevins (pole vault, weight events and distance).

“Kahler is getting pretty fast,” said Dykema. “Derek runs all year long and is looking very, very strong and I think Brandon and Brodey will do a nice job for us this year.”

Following today’s opener, the Eskymos host Gladstone and Menominee in a triangular meet April 23 and the Delta County Invitational two days later.

The schedule:

April 16 — at Menominee; April 23 — Gladstone and Menominee; April 25 — Delta County Invitational; April 30 — at Kingsford.

May 3 — Esky Jayvee Invitational; May 7 — at Gladstone; May 10 — at Negaunee Invitational; May 16 — D-1 regional; May 21 — at Menominee Jayvee Invitational; May 23 — GNC meet at Menominee.

June 1 — U.P. Finals at Kingsford.