The high school boys and girls cross country season began Aug. 28 at schools across the state.

West Valley Preps and the Glendale Independent and Peoria Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams. Here are their responses.

Glendale Prep Griffins

Boys and girls coach: Eric Webdale (ninth year at Glendale Prep)
Section: Division IV Metro (Boys finished fifth in Division IV, girls finished 7th)
Who are your top returning runners? On the girls’ side our top returning runner is Taryn Janssen and on the boys’ side we have four strong returners: Tanner Janssen, Daniel Andersen, James Reamer and Luke Webdale.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? We have two freshman boys that we anticipate will be strong contributors this year: Logan Hartman and Kai Reamer.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? The depth of our boys is our team’s best attribute. We have 10 runners that have a realistic chance to compete for a varsity spot and it’s great to see them support and push each other to get better.
What are the primary team and individual goals for this year’s team? On the girls’ side our team goal is to qualify for the state meet. We last three seniors from last year’s team, so the goal is to have the returners continue to improve and build up the younger runners. Individually, Taryn Janssen has a chance to compete for the individual title in our division so our goal is to put her in a position to do that. On the boys’ side our goal is to improve on last year’s fifth place finish. With six of our seven returners from last year, and the influx of some strong freshman, the team feels like they are in a position for a great year. Individually they all want to run well, but it’s been great to see the team set aside individual goals and focus on team success. Our second through fifth runners are less than 30 seconds apart so they know that pushing each other will help us be successful.

Liberty Lions

Boys coach: David Ostrus (ninth year at Liberty)
Section: Division I Southwest (Boys finished third in Division I, girls finished 15th)
Who are your top returning runners? Senior Henry Dilworth, individual runner up in Division 1 2023, Luke Mabee – all state Division 1 2023, Jack Allred, Sam Hart, Donovan Cross, Christian Garcia and Luke Hensel.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Daniel Edwards, a sophomore who had a very strong track season, has now slid right into our top five and is looking to be a key piece that will help solidify our team score come Nov. 2. Kyan Spence (a dreshman with a lot of running experience who has fit nicely into our top nine right from the beginning).
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? I think a shared desire to not leave anything on the course like happened last year. There was some disappointment in having the top two individuals last year and not being able to close out the team score with a solid five runners, it stung to finish in third place after such a strong year and an incredible performance by our top three last year.
What are the primary team and individual goals for this year’s team? I think the team goal is to go for a third straight Division 1 Southwest sectional title, and we would love to be back on the podium as one of the top two teams in the state. We have already faced some tough competition and know that Hamilton is about as strong of a Pack as you can get. Kudos to Coach Scannell and what he has accomplished with that core group of athletes. Individually I think it is safe to say that Henry (Hank) wants to follow and/or surpass what his teammate accomplished last year. Hank has already lowered our school record by 18 seconds and looks to be one of the top runners in the Southwest Region when the end of the year comes around. I think the sky is the limit when it comes to where Hank wants to be. He is definitely the most talented true distance runner that I have ever coached. Luke Mabee plans on placing all state again this year and we have another couple of guys who would love to join him on the stage come Nov. 2.

Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions

Boys and girls coach: Mitchell Moses (seventh year at Mountain Ridge)
Section: Division I Northwest

Who are your top returning runners? Our top boys returning are Collin Foley, Alex Crotty, Luke Innarelli and Owen Dockter. Our top girls returning are Sydney McCracken and Jessica Jacobsen.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? A few of boys that are going to make an impact for us are Zander Wood, Sean Barendt and Jake Olson. And a few girls who will make a big impact this year are Shea Kalama, Sadie Jensen and Katy Durell.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? I would say that our best attribute coming into this season is our team time spread, which is a result in our top boys and girls groups having a great summer running together. They all are working hard together as a group.
What are the primary team and individual goals for this year’s team? We are striving to work hard every day, be consistent and to approach every run, workout and race with a positive mindset.

Peoria Panthers

Boys Coach: Duane Nelson (second year at Peoria) Girls Coach: Crystal Cano (first year at Peoria)
Section: Division II Northwest)
Who are your top returning runners? Boys: Ethan Hermosillo, Michael Lopez, Zachary Isley, Jackson Hein, Edward Brehm Girls: Seniors Ruby Johnson and Kelsie Mendez
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Boys:  Jaxon Davis, Isaiah Aguiniga and Elijah Cano. Girls:  Freshman Stacey Mendez
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Boys: Great team chemistry and everyone supporting each other. Girls: Our team’s greatest strengths are our unwavering support for one another and our consistently positive attitude. We lift each other up, celebrate every effort, and stay motivated together.
What are the primary team and individual goals for this year’s team? Boys: Have at least one runner make the state meet and as a team to place in the top 4 for the district meet. Girls: Team Goals: Improve overall team time, foster team unity and support, qualify for and perform well championships Individual Goals: Achieve personal best times, improve race strategy and technique and develop consistent training habits.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs

Boys Coach: Torin Lattie (28th year at Sunrise Mountain) Girls Coach: Teresa Lattie (10th year at Sunrise Mountain)
Section: Division II Northwest (Girls finished 14th in Division II)
Who are your top returning runners? Boys:  Andrew Fastrup , junior,  fourth in state 2023.
Girls:  Olivia Greer, (junior), all-section 2023, Sophia Schahn, (junior), all-section 2022, Kaylea Cosby, (junior), Brynn Johnson, (sophomore).
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Boys: Boris Rabinovich (freshman),  Alex Behnam (sophomore), Sael Angulo (freshman) and Mason Hernandez (freshman). Girls:  Rylee Nielsen (freshman) and  Lydia Mahlstadt (junior).
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Boys: Dedication and work ethic.  Andrew Fastrup is a leader by example.  He has the newcomers working hard and going the extra mile in practice. Girls: Dedicated and cohesive.  Girls work hard and get along well.  Very supportive of each other.
What are the primary team and individual goals for this year’s team? For both teams to: Qualify for state and finish in top 10 at state.