Pasco Tribune boys track preview

Teams to watch

1. Mitchell: The Mustangs feature one of the most experienced track and field teams in Pasco County, with several key returners on the team. Leading the way for Mitchell is senior Tyler Ross, who finished third in the 800 meter run at the Class 3A-Region 2 meet and helped lead the Mustangs to a 10th place finish last season.

2. Wiregrass Ranch: Wiregrass Ranch lost several key runners to its long distance events, which include Logan Selzer, Josh Reilly and Ryan Pulsifer, but still return a good amount of talent from last season's team. Sprinter Jamel Nunez will be a key runner in the 100 meter dash and participate in relay events for the Bulls.

3. Ridgewood: The Rams return a squad that is full of regional qualifiers and also a couple that reached states last season, including high jumpers Thomas Rodriguez and Tony Hays. The two seniors will need to be the main cog of a team that should have high expectations going into the season.

4. Pasco: The Pirates are armed with speed throughout their team, with football players joining the ranks under coach Barry Grayling. The team returns Class 2A long jump state champion Janarion Grant, who should be able to notch back-to-back state titles.

5. Zephyrhills: The Bulldogs feature a couple top class sprinters in Adrian Sanchez (200 meter dash) and Kent State football signee Jamal Roberts. Zephyrhills has depth all across the board and should have one of the most talented track and field squads in the county.

Be Careful ...

Land O' Lakes: The Gators always have one of the deepest squads in Pasco County and the 2012 season should prove no different, with the Gators returning a lot of talent from last season and an infusion of new runners and sprinters. Chris Wilkinson (800 meter run) leads the way as the key returner.

Gulf: The Buccaneers will surprise a lot of people this season in their long distance running, as Gulf returned a solid amount of runners from last season's team including Nick Buliga (1600 meter run) and Patrick Sarris (800 meter run).

Anclote: Sharks will have one of the top long distance teams around, with state contender Argishti Gazari being the team leader along the way. Watch out for Tyler Noble in the 110 meter hurdles.

Keep Your Eye On

Argishti Gazari, Anclote: The senior finished seventh in the Class 2A state championships last year in the 3200 meter run and returns as one of the top runners in the state. Gazari should be able to take first at regionals possibly win state gold in the 3200.

Janarion Grant, Pasco: From football to basketball to track and field, Grant is an athlete of all traits and last season won state gold in Class 2A in the long jump. Grant returns to defend his title and will be a key sprinter for the Pirates' relay teams.

Thomas Rodriguez, Ridgewood: Rodriguez had a solid 2011 campaign that saw the junior finish second in regionals in the high jump and finished ninth at state. The senior should make a run at winning the regional meet and could medal in the high jump this season.

Tony Hays, Ridgewood: A forward on the basketball team, Hays will switch over from the hardcourt to high jumping and the senior teamed with Rodriguez form a one-two punch in the high jump event. Hays last season finished fourth at regionals and 11th at state in the high jump in Class 3A.

Tyler Ross, Mitchell: Ross finished seventh in the Class 2A state championships in the 800 meter run. The senior long distance runner returns as one of the tops runners in the state and can nab state gold in the 800 meter run.

Jamal Roberts, Zephyrhills: The Kent State football signee will take his speed to the track and was one of the top speedsters in the state, as Roberts finished 14th in the Class 3A-Region 2 meet.

Jamel Nunez, Wiregrass Ranch: Nunez, who played on Wiregrass Ranch's football team in the fall, is one of the top sprinters in Pasco County and will be vital to the Bulls' relay teams this spring.

Andy Villamarzo