Nansemond River High School track and field will be in what’s considered a rebuilding year for them after a successful 2015 indoor season.

Last year, the Warriors girls’ track team — also known as WAR — was amongst the best the program had ever seen. Warriors coach Justin Byron went so far as to call it a “Dream Team.”

They were led by seniors such as Brandee Johnson, Morgan Towe and Dajae Goulet. Johnson won three Virginia state titles and was ranked among the best sprinters in the nation and is now at the University of Florida. Towe is currently at the University of Richmond. Goulet now attends Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Just coming off of last year, this a rebuilding year for the program,” Byron said. “That team last year was a dream team. Our goal this year is not to chase any other previous team but to stay within ourselves.”

WAR is known for its excellent sprinting ability. The 4×200 relay team holds the state record with a time of 1:38.67 — a testament to just how strong last year’s team was, and that wasn’t the only record the team held.

Those are lofty expectations for the team to live up to this year.

“If you do your job, then you are successful,” Byron said. “The culture of our program is to maintain that internal motivation. Each year the kids know we are here to do our job. We have to focus on what’s in front of us and what we can do.”

The Warriors girls’ track team will be returning senior and Ohio State University commit Syaira Richardson. She will be the senior leader this year as she was part of the successful relay teams from last year. This summer, she made a world team and was able to represent the USA in Poland. Karah Foster, Jasmine Watson, Kiara Howard and Anaya Monroe round out the senior class.

“This is a tight group of seniors,” Byron said. “I commend them on their efforts of sticking together. I’m excited to see them come into their leadership roles and see how they do their last seasons.”

“It’s very important that we do our best as far as training and leading the team,” Richardson said. “We can make sure team ‘War’ lives up to the name we established. As seniors, we are expected to finish our last indoor season strong.”

On the boys’ side, Byron believes the indoor season will serve as a stepping stone for a tremendous outdoor season. The team returns JeVon Waller, Daiqwaun Faircloth and Kevin Johnson. Corey Williams, Jacari Sain, Cam Bynum will be returning as mid-distance runners.

“As far as the program goes, this has been the best fall we’ve had on the boys’ side,” Byron said. “Our fall training has been the best I’ve seen since we’ve been at Nansemond River.”

Last year, the Warriors’ goals were to have the most fun and be the closest team in the nation.

Nansemond River’s first meet is at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at Boo Williams Sportsplex.