Mater Dei

Coach: Rick Martinez (fifth year).

1996: 3-2 league dual meet record, South Coast League runner-up.

Key returners: James Farley, Sr., 100, LJ; Steven Hilferty, So., 400; Mike McNair, Jr., 100, 200; Adam Pisz, Sr., PV; Chris Rakunas, Jr., TJ; Paul Scherz, Sr., 800; Evan Wride, Sr., 3,200; Ted Whalen, Sr., PV; Michael Zepeda, Sr., 1,600, 3,200.

Key newcomers: Michael Niewiarowski, So., 400; Junior Palacio, Fr., 100, 200, LJ; Matt Skinner, So., 400.

Outlook: Behind McNair and Whalen, the Monarchs have big-meet potential. McNair won the 100- and 200-meter races in the league meet a year ago, and he is one of the county’s elite sprinters. Whalen cleared 15-2 in the pole vault earlier this winter. Zepeda has posted times of fewer than 10 minutes in the 3,200. Hilferty and Farley emerged as threats last season. Hilferty ran 52.02 over 400 meters last season, and Farley long jumped 20-11 1/2.