It wasn't a bad 2019 for the Capital City cross country teams. The boys team finished 12th at the Class 3 state championship meet and two girls were state qualifiers after a fourth-place result at the district meet.
And that was just with freshmen and sophomores.
"They all improved," Capital City cross country coach Magnus Holmstrom said. "They kind of see that it takes a lot of work, but when you work hard you see improvement."
The Cavaliers and Lady Cavaliers begin the season today in the Jim Marshall Invitational at Cole County Park.
Battling for a victory is on the agenda today for Capital City.
"I think they have a chance of doing it," Holmstrom said. "It's our first one so it's hard to tell."
Back as the No. 1 runner for the Cavaliers is junior Ben Lear.
Lear will have some newcomers on the varsity squad right behind him to start the season. Keion Grieve and Zach Brown, both freshman, and sophomore Brock Schofield have been fast in preseason time trials.
"I knew we had some pretty good ones coming in," Holmstrom said of the freshman class. "They've actually surprised me a little bit that they're already on varsity at this point."
Back from the state team are junior Peyton Vogt, and sophomores Colin Voss and Parker Noble.
"Parker Noble has made some good strides this year," Holmstrom said.
The Cavaliers are hoping they can work well together during races in hopes of keeping their points total as low as possible.
"I'd say on the boys side we're more of like a team," Holmstrom said. "I don't have a top runner that's going to be real high up there in the front of the race, but as a team hopefully we can move on from districts on to state."
The girls team is led by sophomore Yumia Robben and junior Alyson Linhardt, both state qualifiers last season.
Robben capped off her freshman season with an all-state performance, placing seventh at the state meet.
"She's still an all-stater for sure," Holmstrom said.
Also returning from the Lady Cavaliers' fourth-place district team are junior Gwyndolyn DeFeo, sophomore Katherine Faherty, junior Carrington Stilabower, junior Elizabeth Dunn and sophomore Carmela DeFeo.
Joining the Lady Cavaliers this season is sophomore Sarah Kirby.
"Hopefully as a team they can advance," Holmstrom said. "I think they have a chance. We're pretty strong as a team on the girls side."
Later this month Capital City will be competing for a Central Missouri Activities Conference title at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. That meet is scheduled for Sept. 26.
"Hopefully we can be pretty competitive and maybe be top three," Holmstrom said. "The conference schools are tough this year. Rock Bridge and Hickman are always looking good."
Capital City expects to move up in class this season after starting out in Class 3. The class and district assignments will be announced Sept. 18.