Graduation decimated the Douglas High boys' cross country team, taking away four of last year's varsity runners.
On the girls' side, the top two runners graduated.
Still, coach Jay Frey finds plenty of reason for optimism.
"We lost some key people, so it'll be a bit of a rebuilding year, but we have some key people back, so that will help a lot," Frey said.
For starters, the boys' team returns its top two runners, sophomore Andrew Cobourn and senior Scott Lococo.
Cobourn took 28th at regionals last year while Lococo was 42nd.
"They'll be our top guys, but not far behind them will be Tanner DeGiovanni and Jeremy Tigh," Frey said. "They both rode with the Alta Alpina Cycling Club this summer and they came back to us really strong, both physically and mentally.
"Cycling is good cardio work, good low-impact cross training. It's a huge confidence boost when it comes to racing. They get a lot of experience that way."
Frey said he is also expecting a lot from Kory Koskins, Josh Tigh, Nikoli Kallman and fourth-year runner Mark Pieters this year.
Newcomers to the team include Kevin Kendrick and Adrian Duenas.
On the girls' side, Sadie Gastelum is the team's top returner after finishing 34th at regionals last year.
Four-year varsity runner Amber Emerson, sophomore Bre Chabot, junior Shannon Sturgess and sophomore Kylie Flannagan round out the returning nucleus for the girls.
Senior Lydia Ogles and freshman Tamara Torres are new to the team.
"It's a smaller group, but they are close knit," Frey said. "They are all working hard. We've had most of them before, so we can build on what they've done already.
Douglas will host two races this year, the season-opening class races on Sept. 4 and a race starting at Kingsbury Middle School on Oct. 7.
"I think that is probably the toughest course in Nevada," Frey said. "When you take the elevation into account and it has four big climbs in it, it's pretty nasty. It'll be fun."
