Five KCII area cross country teams start the season’s journey tonight when they travel to Kalona for the annual Hillcrest Academy early bird. The Ravens have seen an uptick in numbers this year with three incoming freshman boys, raising the team total to nine and a pair of incoming freshman girls, raising the team total to four. In 2022, Hillcrest was led in the state qualifier boys race by Jesse Blossom finishing in 20:20 and on the girls side by Delaney Shaw in 26:12 at Winfield. At the conference meet it was the same pair with Shaw going 31st and Blossom 42nd.

Highland also makes the trip to Hillcrest today. At conference in 2022, Sieana Stanerson was 20th and Jackson Schneider paced the Huskies in 66th. At the state qualifier, Schneider crossed the line in 23:09 and Stanerson was the team leader in 23:37.

Lone Tree will also attend Tuesday. The Lady Lions got a big season from Vivian Zaruba in 2022. She was eighth at the Superconference meet in 23 minutes, sixth at the state qualifier in 21:53 and advanced to state where she placed 103rd in Class 1A. On the boys side, Taylor Alberhasky was 65th at conference and Joey Bircher was the top finisher at state qualifier in 22:49.

The Winfield-Mt. Union Wolves will take the course tonight. The WMU boys were fourth in the team conference race on their home course a year ago. Kohlby Newsom carried the banner taking 10th place in 18:17. He was seventh at the Iowa City state qualifier to earn the trip to Fort Dodge finishing in 18:15. At the 1A state championships, Newsom was 43rd in 17:36. He enters this season ranked No. 20 in Class 1A. The Lady Wolves had Afton Wilkerson go 36th at conference and Karilyn Titus finish in 27:06 at the state qualifier.

The WACO Warriors round out the list of area schools. Top boys performances from a year ago included Keirran Luitjens 33rd at conference. He also finished the state qualifier race in 19:47. Girls highlights included Justine Lynn 33rd at conference and McKenzie Vradenburg finishing the state qualifier in 26:24.

Joining those teams tonight are Cedar Rapids Jefferson, English Valleys, Iowa City High, Rivermont Collegiate and Wapello. Action starts tonight at 5p.m. and continues into the evening on the campus of Hillcrest Academy.