The Columbus Wildcats are on the starting line and awaiting to begin a new cross country season. Columbus returns one of its two state qualifiers from a year ago, as sophomore Iris Garza looks to replicate her excellent debut season that included a trip to the state championships and a top-25 finish in Class 1A.

There are a number of returners to the Wildcat girls’ team, including senior Frannie Sosa and juniors Isabel Rendon and Naveiah Garza. Head coach Steve Riley tells KCII Sports that the Columbus girls expect to again be serious contenders in team competition.

“Our girls had a lot of success last year,” Riley says. “We placed third in the [Southeast Iowa Super] Conference, and that was as good as we’ve done since I’ve been here, and I’m in my 13th [year] as the high school head coach. We’ll be a lot better team toward the end of the year. I think we’re going to have a good year for the girls.”

On the boys’ side, while record-setting runner Damian Vergara has graduated after back-to-back trips to state, the Wildcats do have a new addition in senior Ty Muniz, who previously came close to reaching state in track and field at Louisa-Muscatine. Senior Bryan Tlatenchi is back, as is sophomore Cade Storm. Riley likes the overall makeup of his boys’ roster.

“The improvement that we’ve seen on the boys side has just been phenomenal,” he says. “We’ve got a really good competitive group this year, so I’m really excited about it.”

Columbus will start the cross country campaign this coming Tuesday at the Hillcrest Invitational.