Three state qualifying athletes return to the Hillsboro High School Track and Field team this spring.

Dakota Kaufman was the second-place finisher in the triple jump and the third-place finisher in the long jump at the state championships in 2009.

Nathan Vogel and Callie Serene were both state qualifiers in the 800-meter run. Vogel also qualified in the 1600-meter run.

The team fields a roster of 18 boys and 15 girls.

Matt Richert, Mason McCarty, and Kiara Espada are the other returning letter-winners.

“Although we bring back some state experience, we are a very young team,” Head Track Coach Dennis Boldt said. “We have some outstanding talent as freshmen and sophomores to compliment our returning letter winners.”

The Trojans look forward to hosting the James Thomas Invitational April 30 at the newly completed track and field facility at Joel H. Weins Stadium, on the Tabor College campus.