Prior to the start of the cross country season, Blair Oaks head coach Marc Keys hoped for his girls squad to improve on last season's fifth-place finish at state.
Now, he'd be happy with a top 10 state finish when the girls team will compete this morning at the Oak Hills Golf Center.
"We've really yet to hit on all cylinders and run their best on the same race," Keys said. "So you hope for the best. If we run like we've had the whole year I think we can get top 10, eight to 10th place."
Keys cites the quality of competition has increased.
"I think this year the quality of teams is a little bit higher than it was last year," he said. "We're good, and top 10 in the state is still good. I think everyone would be happy with that."
The Lady Falcons are set to take off in the Class 2 race at 9:40 a.m., while Jason Otto and Cole Brenneke will represent the Falcons on an individual basis in the boys race with a 10:50 a.m. start.
The expectations have slipped for the Lady Falcons as they've dealt with the injuries this season.
"We had some injuries so that was a little unexpected. We're really haven't totally shaken that," Keys said. "One of our top runners didn't finish at districts, but our other top runners did well enough to qualify."
Sophomore Kristi Wortmann is that runner, as she has been slowed by knee and hip injuries this season, Keys said.
The team qualified with a second-place finish in the Class 2 District 4 championships, in large part to Sarah Wolken's 25th-place district finish. She crossed the line fourth for the Lady Falcons, with junior Rachel Isenberg, senior Nicole Grefath slotted behind junior Taylor Scott.
"Sarah Wolken at districts ran really well," Keys said of his six-member girls squad. "Because she ran well, we were able to qualify. If she hadn't run well, we may have gotten fourth, it was that close."
Sophomore Kacey Kerperin, who was the top Lady Falcon finisher at state a season ago, has been slowed due to ankle problems.
"Certainly with Kristi and Kacey, it's impacted their ability to race at the same level that they were at last year," Keys said.
Scott has been their most consistent runner and likely the Lady Falcons' top finisher today, as she finished 15th and earned all-district honors last week.
When it comes down to it, Keys and the Lady Falcons will enjoy the day, instead of dwelling on their injuries.
"Initially, it was sort of disappointing that people were injured, but now we're at the point where we're going to run as well we can and enjoy this opportunity," Keys said. "Not everyone gets the opportunity to qualify for this meet, and you really need to celebrate that."
As for the boys, Otto looks to make it three straight seasons as an all-state performer.
"Jason has been sort of consistent throughout this year," Keys said of his senior. "(Today) if he allows himself, he's going to run a lot better than last year. We just have to see if he's comfortable with being all-state again, or if there's going to be a switch in his head that says "you know I'm feeling pretty good, I'm going to go.'
Otto is the Falcons' top runner, finishing eighth in districts with a time of 18:28.42. Keys said Otto's goal is to finish inside the top 15. In addition to finishing 10th last season, Otto crossed the line 17th as a sophomore.
"When you reach a certain point of excellence, it's really hard to get better," Keys said. "And (Otto's) gotten to that point, honestly, and there are some really good runners this season."
Brenneke placed 12th in 18:45.93 at the district race to qualify for his first state race.
Keys said Brenneke will benefit from having Otto in a packed state race.
"I think it's helpful to have Jason, another teammate there," Keys said. "He can see where Jason is and pace himself off of that."
Brenneke, a sophomore, may have some plans for his teammate.
"I've heard Cole say his objective is to beat him, so that might be an interesting dynamic during the race," Keys said. "Then to see if Cole is right next to Jason in the race, to see how Jason responds. That might be a race within the race, which I think is a positive thing.
"Cole is in a position to be all-state, and that's his goal. He's certainly capable of doing that."
All Blair Oaks competitors will toe the starting line this morning. But after that, the rest is unknown.
"You get sick. You get stepped on. Things happen," Keys said. "Ultimately, there needs to be some smiles at the end of the day. It can't always be defined by the place you got."