FAIRFIELD -- Newcomers received their first taste of outdoor competition, returners got in some important work and eager coaches buzzed around the Lawrence High School track and field facility, recording every jump, throw and sprint.

Under a sunny sky Thursday, the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference track and field season got under way with a six-team meet.

"This was our first time running on a track," Messalonskee coach Scott Wilson said. "We had one day running on a cylinder track, but we hadn't thrown outdoors yet. Our fields were just cleared (Wednesday). It's nice to be outside."

The day almost got off to a rough start for Erskine, when a bus carrying its girls team had to turn around on Route 32 near the school when a few balls used for the shot put fell out a door.

"We had to go back and get them," said Erika Reay, one of three Erskine coaches.

Added Erskine sophomore Brittany Sherman, who is one of the team's top sprinters: "It was interesting."

Some coaches, like Wilson, treated the first meet more as a glorified practice, a good time to work in some new faces. Others, like Winslow coach Shawn Carey, used the meet to help sort out who will compete in which events.

"We have 50 kids who are freshmen or sophomores, and they don't know where they want to be," Carey said. "We have some holes to fill."

Added Maine Central Institute coach Jason Allen: "It's just about getting them acclimated. For a lot of these kids, it's their first-ever meet and no one knows what to expect."

The Winslow girls are coming off a KVAC B indoor title, and the Black Raiders are deep enough to challenge two-time defending state champ Waterville this spring. Carey acknowledged he had Ian Wilson on his mind Wednesday.

"If there's any one person I am thinking about in terms of matchups, it's Ian," he said. "It might be too early to think about strategy, but we want to qualify as many kids as we can for the championships so we can pick and choose.

"We're just airing kids out, seeing where they fit best. We have some talented kids."

One of them is Christina Massey, who should be a top scorer in several events this season. Massey was fourth in the long jump and second in the high jump at the Class B state indoor meet this winter. She won the high jump Wednesday by clearing 5 feet, 3 inches.

Massey said she's been eager for the outdoor season to start.

"I've been training really hard," she said. "That second place, I want to come in first. I've just been building my muscle up."

Massey's teammate, Christine Parrilli, finished second to Massey in the high jump at the state indoor meet. Parrilli, who also finished third in the triple jump at that meet, said the team is focused.

"We set the bar high for ourselves," she said.

Like Massey and Parrilli, Erskine distance runner Sam Seekins planned to use the meet as a measuring stick.

"I'm just trying to gauge where I'm at," said Seekins, the 1-mile and 2-mile Class B indoor champ. "I'm not looking for any (personal records) on the first day. I just want to see where I'm at."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com