PREP PREVIEW / BOYS TRACK : TEAMS TO WATCH : FOOTHILL

Coach: Jerry Whitaker (28th year).

1992: Tied for third at Southern Section 3-A finals, third at Orange County championships.

Key returners: John Bain, Jr., Tony Garcia, Jr.; Tad Heath, Sr.; Chris Hoke, Jr.; Mike Lynch, Sr.; Matt McCormick, Sr.; Ethan Taub, Jr.

Key newcomers: John Alford, Jr.; Don Oliver, Jr.

Outlook: The Knights erased an 11-year-old Orange County record when they ran 3:15.10 for the 1,600-meter relay in last year’s Masters meet. The good news is that Heath and Taub return from that record-setting foursome. In addition, Heath has emerged as the county’s top 800-meter runner with a best of 1:53.6. He has also run 22.7 for 200 and 49.1 for 400. Taub’s best event is the 400 (48.7), but also runs the 200 (22.2) and 800 (1:57.2). The 1,600 relay team appears to be in good shape with the addition of Oliver, who ran a 50.6 400 as a sophomore, and Lynch, a 50-second 400 runner. If this group improves as much as last season’s did, the record might be in jeopardy. Bain and Johnson have each cleared 13-6 in the pole vault, a remarkable one-two punch in an event that seems to be slipping locally.