The Golden Eagles’ boys track team has one goal going into the 2010 season — win the Ohio Capital Conference Capital Division championship and go deep into the postseason.

Third-year head coach Eric Myers, who has a two-year record of 122-20, returns 21 letter men from last season’s squad which produced a 70-3 record which include an OCC Capital Division title, a Division I Central District championship, a third-place finish in the Division I Regionals and qualified five athletes to the OHSAA State Track Meet.

Myers will look to seven seniors to lead the Golden Eagles into the 2010 campaign, led by three-year veterans Pete Isbell (throws), Bret Myers (sprints/jumps), Jason Whitner (sprints) and Jordan Whitner (sprints/jumps). Mitchell Stith (distances) returns as a two-year letter winner while Mike Foley (middle distances) and Cody Leitner (sprints/hurdles) are back after lettering for the first time as juniors.

Juniors returning as two-year letter men include Micah Armbrust (distances), Luke Atkeson (hurdles), Kenny Brown (sprints), Matt Brown (throws), Tyler Fifer (jumps), Caleb Garcia (sprints), Nolan Leber (middle distances) and Jacob Walaszek (throws). Brandon Magyari (sprints) and Josiah Myers (hurdles/throws) are back as one-year letterwinners.

Sophomores Lucas Garcia (sprints/jumps), Drew Harmon (sprints), Joey Johnson (sprints) and Nathan Seawell (middle distances) are back after lettering as freshmen.

Kenny Brown (Most Improved Award) was a mainstay in the 400 meters last season while Lucas Garcia (Rookie of the Year) was a member of the Golden Eagles’ school and OCC record-setting 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams last season.

Gone through graduation are Eugene Cannaday, last season’s High Point Trophy winner who placed fifth in the state in the high jump and won a district championship in both the high jump and long jump; John Clark, 2009’s Golden Eagle Award recipient; and Patrick Daugherty, last season’s Senior Leadership Award honoree.

Also graduating were Kalven Baer, Ethan Moseley and Travis Potts.

Myers will look to 16 athletes, including senior Mitchell Daily who missed last season due to injury, junior Mark Ward (distances) along with three sophomores in Josh Annis (distances), Casey Corzatt (hurdles) and Gene Hogg (throws) to give the Golden Eagles needed depth.

Newcomers include freshmen Cameron Ahmed (distances), Adam Barber (distances), Cody Conley (hurdles), Grant Corven (sprints), Jimmy Glaze (distances), Gabe Kitchen (sprints), Jeff Linn (throws), Drew Merry (distances), Anthony Roberto (sprints), Josh Schirtzinger (distances) and Brandyn Wright (sprints).

Myers said Big Walnut’s experience and depth will go a long way toward determining the Golden Eagles’ success this spring.

“Experience and depth is certainly a team strength this season,” he said. “Our success last year put our athletes in some very big meets and having that experience this season is certainly an advantage for us.”

Repeating in the OCC Capital and going deep into the postseason are very realistic expectations for Myers and his staff which includes veteran coaches Ed Kitchen (sprints), Joe Weaver (throws), “Red” Edwards (hurdles), Gary Brandon (distances) and Mike Ryder (jumps).

“We are very excited coming into this season. We feel that as a veteran team we have the ability to to build on last season’s success.” he said. “But our first goal is to repeat in the OCC Capital Division.”

Keys to Big Walnut’s success?

“As always our keys to success include staying healthy while continuing to work hard and strive to get better with each day,” he said. “I believe we have some new additions to our team this year that will help us to improve and give us the depth to be successful.”

Big Walnut makes its 2010 season debut on Tuesday, April 6, when the Golden Eagles travel to Watkins Memorial for a 5 p.m. dual meet with the OCC Capital rival Warriors.

The Golden Eagles open their home slate on Saturday, April 10, hosting the annual “Red” Edwards Golden Eagle Relays at 9:30 a.m. at Golden Eagle Stadium.