Emily Logan faces somewhat of a rebuilding job in her first year as the head coach of the Marion High School girls track team.

The Indians have about 24 girls on the squad, not quite as many as Logan would like.

"I would love to have at least 35 to 40 girls out," she said. "We're low on numbers, so we're battling that way. We've got some growing to do."

Marion finished 21st at the Class 3A state track meet last year when Alyssa Biery won the shot put. Biery has graduated, but the Indians have experienced runners from three relay teams that made it to Des Moines in 2010.

Marion finished seventh in the distance medley, ninth in the 4x800 and 16th in the sprint medley. Logan said she thinks relays should be the strength of this year's squad.

"There are a bunch of girls that have good speed, but there isn't that standout amazing individual athlete," she said. "So yes, relays are going to have to be our kind of thing."

Ellen Cannon, Allison Scott, Morgan Kolarik, Alexis Timp and Michaela Combs ran on relays at state last year. "That's definitely the foundation," said Logan.

Leah Smith and Kelsey Martens also ran on state relay teams in 2010, but Logan said she's not sure if they'll be with the team this year or not. Smith hurt her knee during the basketball season. "The verdict is still out on her," said Logan.

Angie Williams and Kolarik finished 2-3 in the 200-meter dash at the Wamac Conference indoor meet this week at Cornell College. Marion did not field a full team, due to spring break.

This is Logan's eighth year in the Marion school district. She has coached cross country and middle school track, but this is her first experience as a high school track coach. "It's kind of interesting, but it's been good," she said.

Logan was a four-sport athlete at West Delaware High School with track, cross country, basketball and softball. She played college softball at St. Ambrose University. She teaches math and engineering at Marion High School.