Nansemond River High School track and field coach Justin Byron did not mince words when it came to this year’s group of Warriors as they begin the 2014-15 indoor season.

“On paper, this is the best team I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “The expectations are extremely high. The two mottos for this year are ‘healthy and humble’ and also ‘heart over hype.’”

Nansemond River’s male and female athletes have developed a reputation for being Group 4A state title contenders and winners. Earlier this year, the girls won the outdoor state championship as a team for the first time in school history. The boys generated outdoor state titles in the 400-meter dash and the 4×400-meter relay.

Some NR girls even claimed first in the 800-meter sprint medley relay at the 2014 New Balance Nationals Outdoor event.

Some notable athletes who played roles in Nansemond River’s success are gone now due to graduation, including Airrin Davis and Malcolm Sheppard, who were part of the winning 4×400 team.

Byron highlighted Davis in particular when he said, “He’s going to be very difficult to replace because he was our first leg.”

For the girls, state champion runner Kara Dixon and state and national champion runner Mia McClain are significant losses.

But Byron has a couple major reasons to be brimming with confidence about this year’s cadre of athletes.

“We have a lot of talent in the senior pool, but the younger kids are working harder than I’ve ever seen them work,” he said.

He noted there are a couple of new faces, which he did not yet want to name, that are going to make an immediate impact.

Among the many key returners is senior Kadeem Middleton, the reigning outdoor state champion in the 400 and member of the winning 4×400 team.

Byron said Middleton did not have a great indoor campaign last year, but his outdoor performance sparked a hunger that has him ready to go this year.

Senior Xavier Williams was plagued by injury last year, but Byron said, “He’s healthy now, he’s ready to go. He’s going to lead our jump squad on the boys’ side.”

Byron praised coach Aaron Dudley for his work with the distance runners, noting he has applied a spark to that whole program.

“The boys’ distance team is looking good even without Airrin Davis,” Byron said.

The girls’ squad is headlined by the “big three.” This group includes state and national champion runners senior Kara Lyles and junior Brandeé Johnson and state champion thrower senior Zakiya Rashid. Lyles has committed to the University of South Carolina and Rashid has signed with the University of Miami.

“Those three, they’re leaders on and off the track, and in all honesty, they’re working harder than ever this year,” Byron said, later noting they will compete in a variety of events. “Their athleticism is off the charts.”

Senior Candice James, a state and national champion runner who has committed to compete for Virginia Commonwealth University, is looking to continue what she started earlier this year.

“Her indoor is now going to match her last outdoor season,” Byron said, noting she will run in races like the 4×400, 500 and 300.

The success of Nansemond River’s athletes has helped the track and field program grow. Byron said he is working with 87 athletes this year, by far the biggest group in his time with the school.