ONEKAMA — It’s apparent that Onekama’s team-oriented approach to track and field equates to success.

Take last season for example. Both the Portager boys and girls squads were crowned West Michigan D League champions.

With the absence of last year’s large senior class however, the boys are left significantly shorter on numbers and may have to switch their focus just a bit — which is perfectly fine according to coach Mickey Story.

"We lost eight seniors," he said of last year's 25 member group--a far cry from this season's 15. "We're extremely small in numbers, but that's OK. It just knd of changes the focus of the season. Instead of a team type of focus, it turns into more of an individual focus and I have no problems with that. "For the most part, track is an individual sport anyway," he added. "You just hope you get a collection of individuals who can combine their skills into a team type of thing. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn't,  but the most import thing to do is focus on the individuals and help them progress."

Only two of the six Portagers who made it to the Division 4 state finals last year will return with that experience. Junior Ryan Pienta and sophomore Tyler Groenwald competed as teammates in the 3,200-meter relay team that finished in ninth place at state in 8:26.1 — one second short of an Onekama school record.

“I’m expecting those guys to have a real nice season,” Story said of the returning duo. “(They) are real fine half-milers.”

Due to graduation, Onekama will be without last year’s state qualifiers Jaron Llewellyn and Parker Johnson.

 Llewellyn was a member of the aforementioned 3,200-meter relay team and also finished eighth individually in the 800-meter run. Johnson finished 10th in the pole vault.

The two graduates are among the eight that won’t be a part of this year’s squad, which is upperclassmen-heavy with six seniors, six juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

Groenwald and Pienta won’t be the only athletes with state championship experience.

After taking a hiatus from the track team last year, Chuck Schoedel will be contributing his distance talents for his senior season of athletics.

Schoedel was the top harrier on Bear Lake’s cross country team in the fall and qualified for the state competition in track two years ago as sophomore in the 3,200-meter run and a member of a 3,200-meter relay team.

Story also cited Onekama’s strong pair of throwers in Chase Callaway and Raul Torres, as well as hurdlers Patrick Spalding and Danny Brown.

“We have some pretty motivated kids,” he said. “It’s nice to have self-motivated athletes, where you know they’re going to carry through. I’m very fortunate to have these kids.”

The smaller sized team is no doubt striving for success no matter what form it comes in.

“I’ve already met with each kid and we’ve already talked about goals. That’s the whole purpose for the sport and that’s what gives me the greatest pleasure — just simply seeing the athletes improve,” Story said. “Sometimes improvement means they place in meets, or sometimes it means they’re a conference champ or regional champ.

“Each kid has their own different level. As long as they improve, I’m tickled pink and that makes the whole season.”