Optimism is high for the Columbus Wildcat girls’ cross country team as they prepare for the 2015 season. No member of the Wildcats’ 2014 girls’ cross country team competed in the state race in Fort Dodge last November, but head coach Steve Riley says his top three runners off that team are returning this fall.

Senior Ashley Canny finished as the Wildcats’ top runner in last year’s girls’ district race, placing 24th with a time of 17:34. Riley says Canny had a breakthrough junior season, “She was winning medals at some individual meets.” Riley said, “Before that she was a good runner but not one of the best runners in the area. She broke through last year and became one of the best.”

Riley adds with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union expanding the district qualifying field from 10 to 15 runners, he believes Canny has a chance to finish her high school cross country career at the state race in Fort Dodge.

Sophomore Jenessa Carpenter and senior Grace Chapman are also returning for the Wildcats. Carpenter was the Wildcats’ number two runner last season, and finished the district meet in 36th place with a time of 18:45. Chapman was Columbus’ third best runner last season, finishing the district meet in 43rd place with a time of 18:59.

The Wildcats boys’ and girls’ cross country teams will open their 2015 race season tomorrow afternoon, running in the Mount Vernon Invitational. Columbus is scheduled to race against teams from Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Davenport North, Dubuque Hempstead, Louisa-Muscatine, Springville, Vinton-Shellsburg, Waverly-Shell Rock, West Delaware, and West Liberty.