Girl's Cross Country Preview

James Wood

Coach:Mike Onda, sixth year

Last year:Third in the Northwestern District

Key losses:Erin Gardner, Brooke Wiley, Lakelyn Wiley.

Top returnees:Amber Hawkins, Jr.; Samantha Ratcliffe, Sr.; Kylie Wince, Sr.; Molly Farinholt, Soph.; Anne Zerull, Sr.

Key newcomers:Madeline Long, Jr.; Danielle Ray, Sr.; Hannah Payne, Sr.

Outlook:With 11 girls in the program, Onda believes there's enough talent and depth to make a run at one of the district's two regional berths. And with three regional qualifiers returning, a top-two spot in the district and a ticket to Region II isn't out of the question.

With talented teams at Millbrook, Sherando and Handley, it won't be easy for any team to make it through to regionals. But Onda likes what's he's seen from his team thus far.

"We've got some capable girls," Onda said. "They've been working real hard. We're going to keep our sights set on getting out of the district. We'd like to get the team out but we have individual goals, too."

In the team's first meet last Saturday, Hawkins led the Colonels, finishing 11th (19 minutes, 59 seconds) at the Great Meadow Invitational. Ratcliffe came in 30th, and Long took 46th.

Next meet:Today, Northwestern District mini meet at Millbrook, 5:30