The Lone Tree Lions are getting going with a new season of girls’ track and field, and few teams are feeling as fast.

Lone Tree had three relay teams win Southeast Iowa Super Conference North championships last season and subsequently qualify for the Class 1A state meet, with the 4-by-200-meter relay taking fifth place at state, and all members of those relay teams are back.

The group of sophomore Addison McCullough, junior Ava Christofferson and seniors Vivian Zaruba, Rylee Shield and Cate Sexton also helped Lone Tree finish second in the conference and reach state in the distance medley and are looking for more success.

Also back are runners like juniors Dalanie Graap and Jazmine Nino and sophomores Carlee Sexton and Abby Zaruba, who helped the Lions win a bronze medal at conference in the 4-by-800, while senior Hayden Yoder is looking for more medals in the discus toss. Head coach Chad Shield tells KCII Sports that his team couldn’t be in a better spot entering a new season.

“I’m really happy with our team,” Shield says. “We have 17 girls out. I just feel like we’re ahead of where we’ve been historically, and we’ve got a hard-working, competitive group that really wants the success. I’m really pleased with the effort so far

Lone Tree competed last week at the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Indoor State Championships and will have their first outdoor meet of the season this Monday at the Columbus Invitational.