CROSS COUNTRY: SPSL NORTH AT A GLANCE

SPSL NORTH CROSS COUNTRY: AT A GLANCE

• Favorite (boys): Tahoma.

• Favorite (girls): Tahoma.

• Contenders (boys): Kent-Meridian, Kentwood.

• Contenders (girls): Kentwood, Kent-Meridian.

• Notable (boys and girls): The South Puget Sound League has taken on an entirely different look this fall on the cross country trails as it has been divided into three divisions — the Central, North and South. The bulk of the North Division remains intact with Auburn, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, Kentwood and Tahoma. Auburn Riverside and Jefferson will join Curtis, Decatur and Beamer in the Central. From a competitive standpoint, that means Auburn, the Kent schools and Tahoma won’t have to go toe-to-toe with Auburn Riverside, which has a loaded boys lineup this season. … The North returns five male runners who competed at state last year: Tahoma’s Casey Campbell (33rd/16:25), Wiley Duerson (114th/17:27); Kent-Meridian’s D.J. Jigre (72nd/16:44), Derrick Daigre (74th/16:45) and Kentwood’s Tim Pettit (89th/16:57). On the girls side, there are seven returners who competed at state last year, the top one being Tahoma’s Hannah Mittelstaedt. She was on her way to a top-15 finish at state last fall when she traded elbows with an opponent during the final 100 meters and was subsequently disqualified. Other female North Divisions runners who competed at state include Tahoma’s Lauren Clawson (21st/19:35), Julianna Mock (22nd/19:35), Blair Slater (58th/20:22) and Emily Duerson (89th/21:10) along with Kentwood’s Kailey Ulland (29th/19:47) and Kent-Meridian’s Alexia Martin (39th/1957). … K-M has a total of 13 girls out for the team. Martin, the leader of that group, has a solid shot of placing among the state’s top 20, coach Ernie Ammons said. “She’s in just phenomenal shape,” Ammons said. “If the boys don’t look out, she might outshine them.” … The Kentridge boys only won three league meets last year, but appear on the brink of moving up in the SPSL North. The Chargers bring back five of their seven varsity runners, including junior standout Alex Horton. He is the fourth Horton to have run at the school. KR’s lone state competitor last year was Jesse Baggenstos, who now is competing at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. … The Kentridge girls have 15 out and figure to be competitive behind returning senior Andrea Antrim and junior Maggie DeLaVergne. The Chargers also will receive an infusion of young talent in freshman Erin Sofinowski, who could move immediately into the No. 2 slot. … The Kentwood boys graduated Nate Pray and Adam Mosher, but return the rest of its varsity, a group led by Pettit, who ran at state in cross country and track last year. The Conquerors have the numbers (42) and depth to improve off of last year’s fourth-place standing in the North. Along with Pettit, the Conquerors returned district qualifiers Kevin Massimino, Will Richmond, Alex Hough and James Coleman. In addition, KW is expecting a nice boost from sophomore Danny Lunder and senior Tyler Patton, both of whom have shown considerable promise during the early season. “Tim (Pettit) should not be the only one here going to state,” said coach Ken Paul. … The Conks have some solid talent among their 16 girls, especially Ulland, who is one of the area’s top overall runners. Kentwood also is welcoming back junior Erin Chinchar, who missed last year with a back injury. And with Meghan Hoffman, Olivia Lennick, Marissa Stoick and Alayna Wachter also back in fold, the Conquerors have the depth to vault into the North’s top three. … Kentlake has 37 total runners out (23 boys, 14 girls) and has reason for excitement. Freshman Terra McGinnis gives Kentlake a solid No. 1 runner with state potential. With McGinnis and Sarah Robbins leading the pack, the Falcons have a solid 1-2 punch. For the boys, look out for Kentlake sophomore Kyle Koon. Koon, who just missed a state berth last year, broke an ankle in June playing soccer. If Koon can make it all the way back from the injury before the end of fall, a state berth should follow. “He’s probably the hardest-working kid I’ve ever had,” said KL coach Jim Hewson.

• Outlook (boys): This should be an interesting year on the boys side, where Tahoma remains the favorite. Auburn Riverside and Thomas Jefferson gave the Bears a challenge last season and now have moved to the Central. Behind D.J. Jigre and Derrick Daigre, both of whom competed at state a year ago, Kent-Meridian should make a move up the standings. Kentwood finds itself in a similar boat as the Royals. The Conks, led by senior Tim Pettit, return some top-quality talent and enough numbers (42 runners turned out) to make a big splash this fall.

• Outlook (girls): As it has for many years, the road to the SPSL North title goes through Tahoma. The Bears have dominated the SPSL North sine moving into the division back in 1997. In fact, Tahoma hasn’t lost a dual meet since 1996, when it fell to Jefferson. Much of Tahoma’s success comes from its numbers as it turns out 100-plus annually. Coach Gary Conner, now in his 16th season, has turned cross country into a way of life for the Bears. With five returning state-tested runners back in fold, it would take a natural disaster to bring down the Bears this season. That said, look out for Kentwood, which doesn’t have the numbers (16) of Tahoma, but has tremendous talent, led by Ulland, who very well could join the state’s elite this year.

10 RUNNERS TO WATCH (in no specific order)

1. Casey Campbell, Tahoma, senior: If all breaks right, this senior should be among state’s top five.

2. Hannah Mittelstaedt, Tahoma, senior: Unquestionably the North’s top returning female runner this year.

3. D.J. Jigre, Kent-Meridian, senior: This smooth and gifted runner should join state’s elite this year.

4. Kailey Ulland, Kentwood, junior: The more she runs, the better she gets. Look out.

5. Kyle Koon, Kentlake, sophomore: If he can overcome June ankle injury, state is a strong possibility.

6. Derrick Daigre, Kent-Meridian, junior: Returning state competitor is as athletic as they come.

7. Alex Horton, Kentridge, junior: The fourth Horton to run at KR, this might be the best of the bunch.

8. Tim Pettit, Kentwood, senior: Senior and returning state competitor anchors talented bunch.

9. Alexia Martin, Kent-Meridian, sophomore: Talented Royal was among handful of freshman at state a year ago.

10. Terra McGinnis, Kentlake, freshman: Freshman already has claimed Kentlake’s No. 1 slot.