POULSBO — Close only counts, the old adage goes, in horseshoes and handgrenades.

“Close” was then-sophomore Ryan Young, whose javelin performance last year landed him ninth at districts, one spot from a bid in the state tournament. “Close” was then-sophomore Kim Skelly, whose eighth place finish in the 400 meter dash also missed state by a spot. And “close” was then-junior Robyn Embrey, finishing the 300 meter hurdles at eighth place, missing state by — you guessed it — one spot.

Close, but not quite.

This year, the three athletes have already begun paving the way for another state attempt, poised to enter the tournament that alluded them a year ago. Boys’ head coach Tim Adams and girls’ head coach Dave Snyder say the three athletes’ motivation to succeed is rubbing off on other tracksters, as practice got under way last week.

“The atmosphere out here is very positive,” coach Adams said. “At the same time, there’s a good work ethic. I’m pleased with what I see.”

The season is also currently in transition, with former assistant coach Snyder taking over for former girls’ head coach Helen Smith.

“I was concerned losing coach Smith — I was really worried there’d be a hole,” Adams said. “Although she’s definitely missed, that hole is being filled. And the unity is there.”

Young, who is fresh out of basketball season as the Vikings’ primary post player, will be competing for North in the javelin. He will also run sprints depending how well his knee, which he injured two years ago, is doing.

‘(Young’)s a hard worker with lots of talent and good composure,” coach Snyder said.

Young’s transition from the inside hardwood to the outside fields happened quickly — the Viking boys finished the season only two weeks before — and the junior said he’s adjusting to the individual nature of his track events.

“In basketball, there’s more of a team aspect,” he said. “You still need the team out here but it comes down to what you can do.”

Embrey, who also competed in cross country during the fall, is working hard to bring down her times in multiple hurdle events, as well as relay.

“I’ll hopefully be faster than last year,” Embrey said.

Skelly’s goal last year was to run a 60 second 400 meter dash, one she beat by running a 59.4. This year, she plans to trim her time by one or two ticks off the clock.

“Every second counts so much,” she said.

For Skelly, the strength of the entire team is its potential.

“We have a pretty young team here,” she commented. “We lost some seniors but a lot of sophomores turned out. I think it’ll be a building year.”

NK shot put competitor Jennifer Buckner agreed.

“I think the team has potential,” Buckner said. “We have good individuals although we’re not a big team.”

The North Kitsap track squad has almost 70 students out competing but in year’s past, the numbers have been higher.

Buckner was a welcome addition to the team last year, when as a sophomore, she improved her shot distance by 10 feet, starting with a 22-foot average and climbing her way to 32. She’s already had a 31-footer this year.

“My goal is to make it to state by senior year,” Buckner commented.

On the field, the team has several athletes — like Buckner, Young, Embrey and Skelly — working on specifics. But there are many others with little experience but looking to become talents in their own right.

Coach Snyder explained that events like the pole vault are popular among those beginners, given the greater risk involved.

“Number-wise, we’ve got a lot of pole vaulters,” Snyder said. “That might speak to those who are daring enough to try it.”

Those of the truly daring nature will stick with the sport. As for those who came close last year, daring might mean a trip to the state tournament they nearly reached a season ago.