Last season the Covington Buccaneers were a step behind the pack as they finished sixth in the league meet and failed to capture a team title throughout the season.

But with seven seniors and some experience returning throughout the roster, Covington hopes to compete for more team awards this season.

Leading the way will be seniors Brock Iddings, Jake Wise, Logan Hall, Bill Dickey, Curtis Dysinger, Zack Gibson and Adam Zelik.

Iddings had a memorable season a year ago in the 110 hurdles, capturing several individual titles and nearly qualifying for the state meet. He also excelled in the 300 meter hurdles and participated in various relay events.

Wise returns to lead the Buccs in the throwing events - shot and discuss. Like Iddings, he narrowly missed out on a trip to the state meet, but an off-season of work could get the senior over the hump. Wise spent the entire winter working out at Larry Pacifico's gym in order to improve his strength and mechanics - work he hopes leads to a record-breaking campaign in 2008.

Fellow senior Adam Zelik joins Wise in the power events. Zelik took fifth for the Buccs at the league meet in the shot put and will look to take a higher spot this year.

Sparking the Buccs in the pole vault and sprint relays will be Bill Dickey and Logan Hall, both seniors. Each athlete is adaptable and will help the Buccs in a variety of events.

Rounding out the leadership for the Buccs is distance men Curtis Dysinger and Zack Gibson. Standouts this past fall in Cross Country, the duo will provide leadership to a talented group of distance runners, including Levi VanDeGrift, Andy Hittle, Tyler Moody and Willy Hoffert, among others. The distance teams may be the strength of the Buccaneers this season due to the talent and depth available.