MANISTIQUE — After getting their first taste of track and field competition, the Manistique boys are ready for more.

The Emeralds opened their season in Sault Ste. Marie April 5.

“That made for a fun meet,” sixth-year coach Cody Kangas said. “We don’t see those guys all the time. It’s always nice to see different teams. We learned what some of the guys can do and got some questions answered.

“It will be good to compete on our home track. That will be our first real test.”

The Manistique boys have 23 on their roster, including seven seniors.

Gone through graduation is Grant Mason, who captured the Upper Peninsula Division 2 title in the 400-meter dash and helped the Emeralds win the 1600 and 3200 relays and place second in the 800.

Manistique, however, is competing in D-1 this season.

The Emeralds return senior Wyatt Demers, last year’s U.P. D-2 100-meter champ.

Additional seniors returners include Austin Hinkson in the distances and his brother Carsyn, Alex Noble and Stephen Lund in weight events and Griffin Miotke (middle distances and sprints).

“Wyatt will be our team leader,” Kangas said. “He’s our most experienced athlete and we expect him to compete. He’s a great 200 runner, but needs 100 to get going. Austin will be a big point-getter and Carsyn is a kind of a jack of all trades. He’ll be doing sprints, mid distance and a few field events. He’s a versatile athlete. He steps in where we need him. Alex has great form in the weight events and will probably be in the 3200 relay.”

Senior newcomers are Michael Michalik (sprint relay) and Kyle Flodin (hurdles).

“Kyle is probably our biggest take-away from the first meet,” Kangas said. “He has pretty good form. It kind of clicked for him right away.”

Junior leaders are Ben Gilroy and Brendan Mead in the distances with Matt Pugh (sprint relays and 400) leading the sophomores.

“It’s too early to tell about our other underclassmen,” Kangas said. “Ben will be big for us. Brendan is very coachable. I think he’ll also be key for us in the distances. I think we’ll be solid in a lot of areas, although we’re trying to find more pole vaulters. The distances, mid distances and relay are our strengths.”

Kangas points to Negaunee as the team to beat in the Mid-Peninsula Conference.

“They’re always up there and Gladstone will be up there as well,” he said. “I think the M-PC is always tough.”

The remaining schedule:

April 30 — St. Ignace Kiwanis Invitational.

May 2 — Rapid River Invitational; May 7 — Manistique Emerald Invitational; May 10 — Munising Under the Lights Invitational; May 13 — Bark River-Harris Invitational; May 15 — Division 1 regional at Gladstone; May 20 — Mid-Peninsula Conference at Ishpeming Westwood.

June 1 — U.P. Finals at Kingsford.