One of Eric Acton's priorities when he was hired as coach of the Bexley High School boys and girls track and field teams in 1999 was to unite the program. A decade later, he believes he accomplished what he set out to do.

Acton recently stepped down as coach. The search has begun for his successor.

"It wasn't just one thing," said Acton, who plans to continue coaching cross country. "As a teacher, I always try to evaluate where I am professionally. Between teaching and coaching, I just needed more time for myself.

"The rewards of coaching are immeasurable. I've watched a lot of these kids grow up, and I've been honored to have the opportunity to coach year-round. But there's just not enough time in the day. I just figured that now was a great opportunity to bow out and provide the opportunity for someone else."

When Acton took over, the Lions' track program was divided into two separate entities -- a boys team and a girls team.

"When I was asked to take the position, (the administration) wanted the program to go in a new direction and make it a co-ed team," Acton said. "We wanted more athletes involved. I think the team has more than doubled in size (to 115 members last season)."

"One of the things that makes him successful as a coach is the way he interacts with kids," said junior Charlotte Myers, who placed fifth in the long jump at 17 feet, 1/4 inches in the Division II state meet last spring. "He is much easier to talk with, and athletes need to have that kind of relationship with their coach."

The boys won the title of the now-defunct Buckeye Athletic Conference in 2002 and '03 and the girls won the final BAC title in 2003. Bexley joined the MSL-Ohio Division in 2004 and the boys were second in 2006 and '07 and third in 2008. The girls' best finish in the MSL-Ohio was last year, when they placed third.

The boys team was a Division II district runner-up in 2006, '07 and '08 and the girls team was district runner-up last year.

"I've never hung my hat on championships," Acton said. "I've never looked at that as a measure of success. I never kept track of those types of things. I want kids to enjoy the journey. The friendships I've built with the athletes are what keep me coming back."

Last season, the girls team tied for 31st place at state with seven points. It was the Lions' highest finish since placing third in 1996. In addition to Myers, among those expected to return are juniors Abby Fagin and Kendra Wilson and sophomore Elisa Mathews. The four combined last season to place sixth at state in the 1,600-meter relay in 4 minutes, 2.61 seconds.

Among those expected to return for the boys team are seniors Ronnell Armstrong, Kevin Bond, Adam Leeds and Drew King and junior Elijah Scott in the sprints, senior Dylan Myers in the throws and senior Zach Arace in distance.