Head coach: Christine Kjenner

Team captains: seniors Willy Betz, Chloe Cosgrove and Lexi Winter, and juniors Spencer Sprague and Joe Waskom

Record so far: Smoky conditions last week canceled the KingCo Jamboree, scheduled for Sept. 6, to the disappointment of many on the team. “It’s usually a preview, where we can see the competition,” said Cosgrove.

The team’s first meet of the season is scheduled for today at Kelsey Creek.

Team advantages: Led by captains who all have competed at the state cross country championships, the team has a strong desire to return to state competition this year. All of the captains have competed at state at least once and are ready to return to the competition in a tradition that started two years ago. In 2015, Mount Si sent both the boys and girls cross country teams to state competition for the first time, for both teams, since the 1970s.

“We just really want to make it back to state this year,” said Betz. “I think the boys have a lot of potential this year.”

Helping them to get there, especially on the boys team, is a “huge” freshman contingent, said Sprague. Freshman Paul Talens has already emerged as a strong contender on the team overall.

“I think he’ll be able to make it to state,” said Sprague.

“He has incredible strength and stamina,” added Waskom. “He’s just going to kill it this year.”

Challenges ahead: The loss of three of the girls’ top-five runners to graduation last year and a series of summer injuries have been setbacks for the team overall.

“We all run over the summer,” said Winter, “to be ready in the fall.”

A change in the structure of the playoff competition means both teams have to finish in the top two to have a chance at a state berth, and there are two teams to beat, Issaquah and Skyline.

“Both teams are stacked, too,” adds Waskom.

Don’t-miss meet: Mount Si faces Issaquah and Woodinville Sept. 20 at Marymoor Park.

2017-18 Mount Si Cross Country Schedule

The home meet is at Mount Si Golf Course

Wed, Sep 20 Woodinville (Host) 4 pm at Marymoor

Tue, Oct 3 Skyline (Host) 4 pm at Klahanie

Wed, Oct 11 Mount Si (Host) 4 pm at Home