After the loss of many important seniors, it would seem the cross country would need a rebuilding year. However, with strong underclassmen filling their spots, it might not be necessary.

Last season, the boys team was one of the top teams in the state and the girls team was one of the top in the county. With an overall season record of 5-0 for boys and 4-1 for girls, CHS was the school to beat. This season, head coach Paul Jacobson hopes, will be no different.

“I expect to be top three or four in the county,” Jacobson said. “Hopefully we will keep winning races.”

Sophomore team captains Lucy Srour and David Fitzgerald are expected to lead the team this season in winning races.

At a dual meet against Sherwood on Sept. 11, Srour led the girls team to victory, placing first, and junior Breanna Boggan finished second. The boys team, running without several of its top runners, lost.

Last season, Srour won counties and this year she has her sights set on the state championship.

“I feel stronger than I did last year,” Srour said.  “I am more prepared, and I know what to expect.”

Looking to close the gap between Srour and the rest of the girls team are juniors Moraya and Breanna Boggan, junior captain Paula Rabade and freshmen Fiona Asbury and Katie Wright.

“For the girls we are just going to keep getting better and better,” Jacobson said. “We expect to be top three in the county.”

At the Woodward Relays Invitational  Sept. 4, the girls team delivered. Srour and Rabade won the three -mile cross country relay and the girls team finished second to rival B-CC. The boys team finished ninth overall.

“The result from Woodward was amazing,” Srour said. “Paula and I were super excited to come in first and help our team place second against some of the top teams in the state.”

After losing six out of their top seven runners, including 2011 4A west regional champion Will Conway and top runner Zach Weinstein, the boys team took quite a blow. Fitzgerald and junior William Szamosszegi, a tennis recruit and first-year runner, will lead the team.

“We are working on our depth for the boys team which will probably get better with experience,” Jacobson said. “Our number one is pretty much guaranteed, but we are trying to catch up our other runners.”

The biggest competition for the boys team is Walter Johnson, who they will meet at counties, regionals and other invitational meets. The girls team will meet its toughest competition against B-CC Oct 2.

Although the team has over 100 runners, most athletes describe it as being like a family.

“Why do I love cross country?” Srour said. “That’s like asking why I love my parents.”