The Helias Crusaders and Lady Crusaders are happy to start the cross country season today.
But they aren't going to be overly concerned about their results.
"We're not too worried about how we place, we're still training right now," Helias head coach Brad Hake said as the Crusaders and Lady Crusaders get set for the Jim Marshall Invitational at Cole County Park. "The results on race days may not be indicative of where we're going to be at the end of the year."
Hake, in his first year as head coach of the program after serving as an assistant last year, likes the attitudes of his team.
"There's a lot of positiveness in the program right now and I think people are excited," he said.
The Crusaders and Lady Crusaders have big numbers this season. Helias has 25 boys on the team to go along with 23 girls.
"I think there's going to be a battle between 10-12 runners for the varsity spots for both the boys and the girls," Hake said. "I think there's going to be more movement on the varsity lineup than we've seen for a few years here. There are a lot of kids that are pushing each other.
"Everyone is going to have to run hard to keep their varsity spot."
The biggest problem with the big group? Finding enough uniforms.
"We dug into the track uniforms for a few," Hake said.
On the girls side, the Lady Crusaders are led by senior Kayla Yanskey, a three-time all-state runner.
"She's extremely talented and she's been a great leader," Hake said. "Her mindset is going for having a great senior year. She's working hard every day to make it as good a senior season as she can."
Abby Hake, a junior, has the No. 2 spot. A pair of freshmen - Morgan Yanskey and Emma Veltrop - will hold down the next two positions.
"They are both so talented," Brad Hake said. "We need to get some experience racing under their belts."
Lanie Hentges, a senior, is the No. 5 runner. Claire McDonald and Alicia Engelbrecht, both juniors, round out the top seven.
"We have a good mixture between the four classes," Hake said.
Ethan Rackers is the lone senior on the boys side.
"He's done a tremendous job of leading us," Hake said.
On the other side, Helias has 14 freshman out for the team.
"They're talented and they're learning how to prepare," Hake said. "Those numbers bode well for the future, but I think we're going to do just fine this year as well."
Nathan Wieberg and Brian Kirchhoff, two juniors, lead the Crusaders. Jack Crull, a freshman, finished No. 3 in time trials, followed by sophomore Riley Scott, freshmen Jenson Starr and Will Roehl, and sophomore Jack Hentges.
Blake Bauer, another freshman, will be in the varsity lineup today for Roehl.
"The boys have worked hard and the veteran runners have led very well," Hake said. "It's just a matter of throwing them into the fire and letting them get some experience on the varsity level."
Hake, who has coached several sports at Helias, learned a lot working under Mary Haskamp last year with the cross country program.
"I learned a lot about preparation for races, working with individuals," Hake said. "I'm really excited for this opportunity.
The varsity boys race will start at 9 a.m. today, followed by the varsity girls around 9:30 a.m. The JV races will wrap up the action.