With the arrival of spring, the prep sports season at Point Loma High School (PLHS) is taking shape. One Pointer spring sport will be working to defend a league title, while another will be looking for its first win in two years. Here is a look at the upcoming spring teams: BASEBALL Head Coach: Jon Posternack (seventh season) 2010 record: 18-13 overall, 6-6 in Western League Top returning players (and positions): seniors Kellen Urbon (P, 2B), Campbell Wear (P, C, IF), Dylan Morris (CF), Cody Harvey (1B) and Max Sorenson (P); juniors Connor Baits (P) and Jackson Leslie (Inf); sophomore Tyler Majofis (3B). Notable newcomers (and positions): junior Ryan Ament (OF), sophomore Justin Baker (SS). 2011 outlook: Wear (UC Santa Barbara) and Urbon (Cornell) have already signed with Division I teams, and with Baits (9-2 with a 1.71 ERA last season), should form a potent trio on the mound. All three have been named team captains. “Our starting pitching’s experience and depth will be our team’s strength,” said Posternack. “Also, we have returning starters at seven of nine defensive positions. With a very challenging schedule, we are going to have to play consistently well if we want to make it deeper into the CIF playoffs in May. “With two sophomores starting on the left side of the infield,” he added, “our younger players will be tested. With speed throughout the lineup, we will look to generate the much-needed run support that our pitching staff deserves. We have tremendous team leadership and a great mix of student-athletes. As team chemistry develops and our perseverance and stamina are tested, the 2011 season promises to be very exciting.” SOFTBALL Head coach: Tom Kamfonik (sixth season) 2010 record: 12-13 overall, 7-5 in Western League Top returners: seniors Ashley Nelson (P), Jill Duran (C), Justine Otsuka (3B), junior Katie McEachern (SS). Notable newcomers: None listed 2011 outlook: The Lady Pointers will try to improve on last season’s overall record and advance further into the CIF playoffs. Last season they absorbed a 6-1 first-round loss to Scripps Ranch. Kamfonik, who is also an assistant football coach at PLHS, has the respect of his players, all of whom play hard for him. SWIMMING (GIRLS) Head coaches: Jerry Rich (20-plus years), Jeff Hunt (fourth year), April Hunt (first year). 2010 record: 7-1 overall, 6-0 in league (league champions). Top returners: seniors Erin Cox and Hannah Robertson (both CIF finalists the last three years and team captains), Cristina Colloca, Arianna Conger, Karin Davila, Evalina Monreal, Stephanie Navarro, Samantha Pugh, Sarah Shaw and Allison Sutherland; junior Monica Longworth. Notable newcomers: freshmen Zachary Raymond and Morgan McFarland. 2011 outlook: With a lengthy list of returning seniors, the team’s goal this year will be to bring another championship banner to PLHS. Also, the coaches will be working to prepare both individuals and relay-team members for competition in the CIF finals. SWIMMING (BOYS) Head coaches: Jerry Rich, Jeff Hunt and April Hunt 2010 record: 0-8 overall, 0-6 in league. Top returners: senior Graham Scribner, junior Ryan Shoemaker, sophomore Cole Holderman. Notable newcomers: freshmen Andrew Brady, Jason O’Brien. 2011 outlook: When competing on or in water, Pointer teams usually prevail. Sailing and surfing have been school strengths, while Rich leads successful girls’ and boys’ water polo teams. He summarizes this team’s hope bluntly: “Our goal this season is to win a dual meet.” All the team’s coaches will strive to prepare individuals and relay team members for post-season competition. VOLLEYBALL (BOYS) Head coach: James Sakasegawa (first season) 2010 record: 1-8 overall, 0-3 in league Top Returners: seniors Paulino Ramos-Padilla (outside hitter), Reid Liechty (setter), Nate George (middle hitter/blocker), Andrew Spathas (outside hitter). Notable newcomers: seniors Thomas Penney (middle hitter/blocker), Nathan Hoppe (libero/defense specialist), Joe Romano (opposite/right-side hitter), juniors Kirby Challman (outside hitter), Ruben Diaz (opposite/right-side hitter), Keegan Otsuka (defense specialist).  2011 outlook: Ramos-Padilla, Liechty and George will be team captains. Each of the listed newcomers is new to competitive volleyball. “The program is moving in the right direction,” said Sakasegawa.  “All the players are very athletic and are focused on team work. The team has been working hard on skills and communication, two main requirements to be successful.” Sakasegawa’s team has experienced early success, as they have been victorious in their first three non-league matches. TRACK AND FIELD (GIRLS) Head coach: Keith DeLong (first year) 2010 record: Eastern League, records unavailable Top returners (and events): seniors Meghan Breadmore (1600m, 3200m, 800m), Riley Hasche (pole vault, high jump, long jump, sprints), McKenna Doyle (high jump), Nikki Smith (100m, 200m, 400m); sophomores Elle Verhees (400m, 800m, 1600m), Victoria Gonzalez (400m, pole vault), Jewell Roth (400m, 800m), Jade Martz (high jump). Notable newcomers (and events): freshmen Sara Bagnell (800m, 1600m), Johanna Walker (1600m, 3200m), La’Tanya Welch (100m, 200m, 400m). 2011 outlook: DeLong takes over the girls’ track team this season after guiding the Pointer cross country teams. Breadmore, an all-CIF and state meet cross country runner, brings her skills to the long-distance events. “While the girls’ team may lack some depth in certain events, they should have an outstanding season,” said DeLong. “They have the potential to place well at the CIF meet in May, provided everyone continues to work hard and stays healthy.” TRACK AND FIELD (BOYS) Head coach: Manuel G. Diaz (seventh season) 2010 record: 4-4 overall, 2-2 in league  Top returners and events: seniors Sean McKaveney (high jump), Brennan Alcantara (pole vault), Giovanni Gonzalez (shot put and discus), John Castaneda (shot put and discus), juniors Aaron Bagnell (110 high hurdles), Taylor Boswell (mile), David Flores (800 and two-mile), Miguel A. Sauceda (800 and two-mile), Tez Wright (4×100 relay), Jaivon Griffin (4×100 relay), Matt Magers (4×100 relay), sophomores Sidney Rush (long jump), Zalyn Bullard (4×100 relay). Notable Newcomers: none listed. 2011 outlook: “This will be a real young team that I am expecting to be very competitive in the league as well as in CIF,” said Diaz. “We should see a lot of improvement from last year, and I believe we will surprise many people.” LACROSSE (BOYS) Head coach: William Akie (second season) 2010 record: 0-2 in first varsity season. Top returners: seniors Hunter Hirsch (midfield), James Hauoli (defense), Stephen Stapleton (midfielder), Travis Crenshaw (midfielder), Will Culhane (defen-se), Spencer Jefferson (defense), Lalo Rueda (defense), Dylan Siegel (attack), Charlie Mellor (attack), Jack Quinn (goalie), sophomore Will Mellor (goalie). Notable newcomers: senior Campbell Irvine (attack). juniors Alex Barbosa (midfield), Nick DeHaven (midfield), sophomore Jason Irvine (attack). 2011 outlook: Hirsch and Hauoli will serve as team captains this season. “We’re playing a full 16-game schedule in the City Conference, which should only increase lacrosse’s exposure at the school and bolster our prospects for the future, as well,” said Akie. “We’ve got a senior-dominated team with some integral underclassmen contributing, which could benefit us this season, but also build a strong foundation for the future of lacrosse at Point Loma. Our players have committed to the program and have thrived with the increased practice time (five to six days a week, unlike two to three last season) and better location (on the PLHS turf instead of Dusty Rhodes Park),” he added.  “Although we lack the experience some of our league counterparts have, we make up for it with hard work in practice and a level of desire to get better I haven’t seen anywhere else,” Akie said.