The unofficial start to the cross country season has arrived as the Hillcrest Academy Ravens host their annual early bird meet tonight in Kalona. Six teams from the KCII listening area will be on the course tonight. The home Ravens are back in action after a season that saw freshman Marie Yoder burst on scene with a runner-up finish at the Southeast Iowa Superconference Championships and a State Qualifier meet title in Iowa City, before finishing 13th in Fort Dodge to become the first Raven girl in nearly two decades to earn All-State status, with her school record time 19:41. Yoder begins this season ranked No. 15 in Class 1A by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Also returning with Yoder are teammates Rya Scott, Delaney Shaw and Brynna O’Rourke who finished 19th, 33rd and 55th respectively at the Superconference meet last year. Highland’s top runner Sienna Stanerson also joins the Raven lineup. For the Raven boys, they were 10th at the Superconference meet, paced by Micah Gerber in 23rd at 19:12. Jesse Blossom also went top 30 in 29th. At the State Qualifier Hillcrest was 11th with Gerber again setting the pace in 26th. Returning with those two are Kyle Neuschwander, Jeremiah Danker, Isaac Beachy, Braden Hartsock, Micah Kacmarynski and Mateo Rodriguez-Yoder.

The Columbus Wildcats will compete tonight. The Wildcat boys were sixth at the Superconference Championships a season ago, with their top returner back Cade Storm and his 21st place finish. Columbus was sixth at the boys State Qualifier meet where Storm also led in 22nd place. The Wildcats have to replace multi-time state qualifier Damian Vergara who finished 102nd in Fort Dodge last year. Those back to join Storm from last season include Bryan Tlatenchi, Ryan Villa, Juan Alcala, Drake Marin, Dakota Aney and Noah Razo. The Wildcat girls were third as a team at the Superconference meet with Iris Garza posted a seventh place finish. At the State Qualifier Garza got to Fort Dodge with a third place finish. She was 23rd at State a season ago. Those back to join Garza include Isabel Rendon, Naveiah Garza, and Amelia Fulton.

The Lone Tree Lions will have their boys and girls in Kalona tonight. Vivian Zaruba led the Lady Lions last season, finishing 17th at the Superconference meet and 29th at the 1A State Qualifier. Returning with Zaruba for Lone Tree this year are Jazmine Nino and Abby Zaruba. For the Lone Tree boys, Brock Nebergall was 30th at the Superconference meet and 31st at the State Qualifier to lead last season. Taylor Alberhasky also returns for the Lion boys.

Winfield-Mt. Union is at Hillcrest Tuesday. The Wolves were seventh in the boys team chase at the Superconference meet a season ago where Kohlby Newsom led in 10th. Newsom advanced to state with a third place finish at the State Qualifier as the team finished fifth. He starts the season ranked No. 15 in Class 1A. Others back to join Newsom this year include Bowen Thomson and Jacob Nelson. For the WMU girls it was Afton Wilkerson out front at the Superconference and State Qualifier meets with matching 38th place finishes. Back to join Wilkerson again this year is Jana Isanta Vila.

The Highland Huskies travel to Hillcrest tonight. Olivia Edwards returns for her senior season and is joined by Jaydee Macareno on the Highland girls team. On the boys side for the Huskies, they were 11th as a team last year at the Superconference championships. Top returner is Brayden Zyvwiec in 94th. The Huskies were 13th at the State Qualifier with Zywiec 83rd. He is joined by returning teammates Chase Hickenbottom and Jack Krotz.

The WACO Warriors will also run tonight in Kalona. The Warrior girls were led at last season’s Superconference meet by Justine Lynn in 60th place. Sarah Craun was the leader at the State Qualifier in 51st. Those two are both back along with Deedra Graber. For the Warriors boys, Keiran Luitjens led at the Superconference meet in 43rd and was the top runner at the State Qualifier in 49th. WACO also returns Tristan Luitjens.

Also involved in tonight’s meet are Cedar Rapids Jefferson, the No. 4 in Class 1A Danville boys and their No. 19 girls, the No. 15 in Class 1A English Valleys girls and their boys, the No. 10 in Class 4A Iowa City High girls and their boys, Rivermont Collegiate and Cedar Rapids Washington.

Action opens with JV races at 4:50p.m. and continues into the evening at Hillcrest Academy.