Monument/Dayville's Kyla Emerson, left, competes in the 100-meter hurdles at Vale's Oregon Trail Invitational earlier this season.

The Monument/Dayville track and field has just six team members but is already showing a readiness to compete.

Four are returning varsity members, and two competed well at the middle school level.

On the girls side, junior Kyla Emerson placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at state last year, as well as sixth in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 4×100-meter relay with her team, which included Faythe Schafer.

Schafer, a junior, and sophomore Aubrey Bowlus are also on the team.

For the boys, junior Gabe Walker is returning for his third year of track and field.

Freshmen Mark Thomas and Donovan Schafer have middle school experience and showed their competitive side at the Oregon Middle School Statewide Championships.

Head coach Jeff Schafer, who co-coaches with Peter Bogardus, said their goal is to “go out and have fun and compete well.”

Bogardus said Walker, who competes in hurdles, sprints and jumps, is moving steadily toward his goals.

“He’s come a long way over the years, and he has a goal to aim for state in the sprints, in the 100,” Bogardus said. “Based on his progress in the past, I think he can do it.”

Monument and Dayville teams, which had been competing independently, combined this year.

Walker said he is happy to have more teammates, as this year he is the only track athlete competing from Dayville School.

He said his goal is to “push the limits” in his events.

“I realize that I’m not as fast as I was at the peak of last year, but I’m going to work hard to be even faster,” he said.

Thomas, who is competitive in distance running, has taken on the 1,500, 800 and 400 this year.

“He’s been doing good with that and keeping up with endurance, also working on technique,” coach Schafer said.

Donovan Schafer competes in discus, javelin and triple jump.

“He had an excellent career in middle school,” the coach said. “He threw 104 in discus.”

Hayden Schafer, who graduated last year, is a volunteer assistant coach for throwing events.

“Kyla, Aubrey and Faythe are also looking pretty promising for the year,” Jeff Schafer said.

Faythe Schafer, who competes in the 400, discus and shot put said she enjoys spending time with the team.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone progresses throughout the season,” she said. “My goal for the 400 right now is to make it to state, hopefully dropping my time into the 1:03 zone.”

Emerson said she is optimistic about the season.

“For our team, I’m hoping we’re all super successful this year and reach our goals,” she said. “I’m just hoping to exceed on both my hurdles, and especially with the 300 hurdles to work on keeping my time low.”

The coach said the teams’ training regimen is more specific to the athletes’ events this season with endurance for the runners and strength building for the throwers. He said the team members are good kids and with a strong work ethic.

“I love being around them,” he said. “You see them working hard to accomplish bigger and better things all the time.”

April 13: @ Ranchers Invitational in Crane at 11 a.m.

April 17: @ Grant Union Small Schools Meet in John Day at 3:30 p.m.

April 20: @ Condon/Wheeler Invitational in Condon at 11 a.m.

April 28: @ Sherman Invitational in Moro at 11 a.m.

May 3: @ High Desert League Meet in Prairie City at 4 p.m.

May 17-19: OSAA 1A Track and Field State Championships in Eugene