Girls' Cross Country

Coach:Mike Onda, fifth year

Last year:Fourth place in the Northwestern District

Key losses:Rachel Carson, Lauryl Andrus, Whitney Dennis, Brooke Krossman

Top returnees:Samantha Ratcliffe, Jr.; Kylie Wince, Jr.; Lakelyn Wiley, Soph.

Key newcomers:Amber Hawkins, Soph.; Molly Farinholt, Fr.

Outlook:Roster turnover makes it somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Colonels. James Wood heads into the season with just three returning runners from last year's top seven.

Ratcliffe (17th in the Northwestern) consistently ran second for the Colonels a season ago, and Wince and Wiley ran among the top seven.

Onda said Amber Hawkins, a transfer from Central who took first place (5:37.9) at the Bloomin' Mile last May, should give the team a boost. But she might not be able to join the team until October.

"We're looking forward to when Amber becomes eligible," Onda said. "We didn't really pick up many freshmen this year, so we've got more of a long-term focus right now. We've got some individuals that will do well, but we really don't have a solid five to compete against some of the teams in our district."

First meet:Saturday at Great Meadow Invitational, 9 a.m.