Team-by-team capsules for girls’ cross country squads across the Pikes Peak region.

5A

Coronado

Coach: Doug Hugill

Key players: Chloe Cassens, so.; Elana Muzzy, so.; Lindsey Murray, so.; Madelyn Moreland fr.; Bailey Powell, sr.; Allie Hill, sr.; Jackie Godec, jr.; Layla Roebke, Fr.; Faith Roth, Fr.

What to know: Don’t be fooled by the Cougars’ youth. They have three returning sophomores who ran at state as freshmen.

Doherty

Coach: Robert Duensing

Key players: Kayli Tabares, so.; Shelby Weisburg, jr.; Amber Helmick, sr.

What to know: A young Doherty crew will experience a lot of jostling for a varsity spot in the coming weeks. Tabares was third in last year’s Spartan Invitational, which Doherty hosted, as a freshman.

Fountain-Fort Carson

Coach: Ben Montoya

Key players: Kaylie Black, sr.; Ariana Toland, sr.; Yazmin Chavez, sr.

What to know: Montoya reports that this is a tight-knit group, but a lack of experience will trouble the young Trojans, at least early on.

Liberty

Coach: Gary Weston

Key players: Allison Mann, jr.; Camryn Slade, sr.; Haley Zrnchik, sr.; Jennifer Van Bueren, soph.

What to know: Weston said the team should be more experienced than last year’s. Mann, Slade and Zrnchik should lead the way. Van Bueren, meanwhile, is a blossoming, young talent.

Palmer

Coach: Rob Gilliam

Key players: Rene Carter, sr.; Tess Druelinger, sr.; Allison Horwitch, jr.; Gretchen Gaebler , jr.; Maddie McIntyre, jr.

What to know: A large group of upperclassmen drives this squad, and their coach says the Terrors are determined to be one of the top teams in the region.

Pine Creek

Coach: Max Oliver

Key players: Devon Kroeker, jr.; Athena Kuehn, jr.; Sarah Bassett, so.; Calyssa Trautner, sr.

What to know: Pine Creek boasts one of the best one-two punches in the area in Kroeker and Kuehn, but for the first time in a few years, the Eagles have a young team. There might not be any seniors in their top five, but they’re still a favorite.

Rampart

Coach: Robby Young

Key players: Mathilde Bernard, Jr.; Claire Brockway, sr.

What to know: This is a young team has lots of question marks but according to Young, don’t be surprised if they beat a few teams they “shouldn’t.” Bernard was a state qualifier last fall, and Brockway will likely follow suit this year if she manages to stay healthy.

4A

Region 2

Discovery Canyon

Coaches: Dave Burgess and Nicole Odell

Key players: Liberty Ricca, fr.; Yana Brown , jr. Camille Tredoux, jr.; Beth DeLaurell, sr.

What to know: The girls’ team, which qualified for the state meet last year, is rebuilding after losing several seniors to graduation. Discovery Canyon is looking for some of the returning runners to rise to the occasion. One of them, track and field standout Brown, will make her cross country debut for the Thunder.

Falcon

Coach: Nathan Borchers

Key Players: Leah Petrie, sr.; Melissa Budd, sr.; Abigail Burg, jr.

What to know: Falcon is very freshman-heavy this year, with only three upperclassmen in Petrie, Budd and Burg. They will try to set an example for the large group of freshmen.

Harrison

Coach: Molly McCann

Key players: Allison Espinosa, so.

What to know: Harrison’s cross country teams have historically been small, which has made it hard to be competitive. But this year, McCann says the team saw a large increase in numbers. The Panthers are focused on improving times and building for the future.

Lewis-Palmer

Coach: Suzanne Kuehl

Key players: Lindsey Purden, so.; Elizabeth Beagle, so.; Maddi Smith, sr.; Emily Ng, sr.; Rebekka Olson, so.; Brooke Taylor, jr.; Aspen Phillips, fr.

What to know: Coach Kuehl clearly scouted out some track and field practices, recruiting seven freshmen and sophomores with strong running backgrounds. Purden and Beagle haven’t run cross country before, but are coming off strong track seasons.

Mitchell

Coach: Walt Wilson

Key players: Natalie Tiona, sr.

What to know: Returning captain Tiona will guide a young Mitchell team during a rebuilding year.

Palmer Ridge

Coach: Kelly Christensen

Key players: Hannah Capek, sr.; Ally Herebic, sr.; Emily Croft, sr.; Kaleigh Cunneff, sr.; Faith Clear, so.

What to know: The Bears return a lot of runners after placing third at state in 2014 and they didn’t slack off during the summer. Christensen said early season training has shown an improved team. Capek looks to build on a 16th place finish at state last season, and Herebic returns after suffering a stress fracture last fall. Palmer Ridge is counting on several sophomores stepping up to put pressure on varsity.

Sand Creek

Coach: Eric Bauer

Key players: Maia Austin, sr.

What to know: Austin qualified for state last year, but didn’t have a great race at the meet. Her coach expects her make it back to the state meet again, with another year of training under her belt, she is likely to improve on that previous performance.

Region 5

Canon City

Coach: Marcy Epperson

Key players: Ellie Enderle, jr.; Katie Till, jr.; Drew Moore, sr.; Ellie Till, fr.

What to know: The Till sisters are a gift that keeps on giving to Canon City. Aubrey took 10th at the 4A state meet last year, then graduated, but freshman Ellie arrived soon afterward. Katie was second at regionals last season and placed 68th at state. With 26 girls on the team, it’s a competitive time for the Tigers.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Stan Lambros

Key players: Madison Lambros, sr.; Veronica Brtek, sr.

What to know: The deep Indians return Lambros and Brtek, who own track and field school records.

Mesa Ridge

Coach: Carl Burgess

Key players: Sarah Kay, So.; Hailey Vandemeter, Fr.; Emily Borchard, So.

What to know: Mesa Ridge will find it tough to compete with mostly freshmen and sophomores this season. The Grizzlies are looking to gain experience.

Widefield

Coach: Erik Nelson

Key players: Tabitha Frandsen, so.; Samantha Howell, jr.; Caitlyn Anderson, fr.

What to know: Widefield is well balanced this year, with plenty of newcomers and returning athletes. However, those returning are not their fastest runners. They will have to work on developing depth.

Woodland Park

Coach: Mike Schoudel

Key players: Alana Dillinger, sr.; Sandra Dillinger, so; Kelsie Bragg, so.; Erin Babiniski, sr.; Apsen Heidekrueger, jr.

What to know: Woodland Park will benefit from strong core returning from a state-qualifying team, but added no freshman girls to the roster this year. No matter, as the Dillinger sisters will lead the way again, with an inspirational story to boot. Heidekrueger overcame leukemia, tried out for the team for the first time and is expected to be one of the best runners.

3A

Manitou Springs

Coaches: Duane Roberson and Jaclyn Roberson

Key players: Brooklyn Mack, so.; Naomi Stevens, jr.; Kaitlyn Davis, so.; Jen Cole, jr.; Hailey Clark, so.; Braeden Lewis, so.

What to know: The hard-working Mustangs are young, but might surprise people this fall. They return Mack, a state qualifier in 2014.

St. Mary’s

Coach: Deb Hellman

Key players: Hannah McReavy, so.; Ana Muehlbauer, so.

What to know: The St. Mary’s squad is very small, so it’s focused on working hard and improving.

2A

Colorado Springs School

Coach: Jocelyn Burke

Key players: Claire Sabin, sr.; Sarah Weirdman, jr.

What to know: The Lions will rely on the leadership of erstwhile basketball star Sabin, who was all-conference and competed in the state meet next year.

Ellicott

Coach: Jim Van Hoesen

Key players : Ariel Drury, sr.; Kaelynn Keathing-Wade, jr.; Vicky Henley, jr.

What to know: Henley returns with enthusiasm after taking a year off. The Thunderhawks suffer from low numbers but will do their best.

Evangelical Christian Academy

Coach: Eric Becker

Key players: Sarah Warren, sr.; Anna Katherine Bates , jr.

What to know: Warren and Bates, both state qualifiers, return to provide leadership. ECA lost several runners to graduation and relocation, and considers this a rebuilding year.

Peyton

Coach: Tim Van Sickler

Key players: Matti Hlatki, sr.; Bethany Griffen, sr.; Savannah Saarela, sr.; Kaylee Kearse, so., Victoria Logar, so.; Brynna Coover, so.; Mikhala Miller, fr.; Kylie Phelps, fr.

What to know: Peyton did not lose anyone to graduation and returns with a few more weapons. Logar is healthy again and will make an immediate impact. The Panthers hope to remain injury-free.

Teams not listed did not report.