SANDPOINT — These three words appear on the bottom of the Sandpoint cross country team’s T-shirt logo: Rise as One.

They’ll take that credo with them to state on Saturday, as the girls will be questing to win their third straight 4A state championship, while the boys hope to meet or exceed last year’s third place finish.

Three-peats are rare in any sport, and the Bulldog girls know full well that some hungry teams are coming up to their home course eager to take what they currently own.

“There’s definitely a target on your back anytime you’re the returning state champions,” said Bulldog girls coach Angie Brass, who said her team is excited for another challenge. “When you’re doing something together on the team, the pressure is carried on the shoulders of everyone, running for each other.”

Leading the pack, literally in the past few meets, is sophomore Katherine Kaul, who boasts a top 10 state time and will look to push the pace of the race. Brass says she has really come on strong lately and knows her role.

Right behind her will be seniors Corinne McClelland and Claire Pierce, junior Rainey Woodward, sophomores Sharon Rowe and Hannah Davidson and freshman Niah Brass. All could possibly finish in the top third of the field, making for the kind of tidy number that can win state, and as many as five could end up medaling with top 20 finishes.

“Pack running is huge in cross country. It helps you stay on target, stay on pace,” said Brass, whose team has run in tight packs all season long. “When you’re running, you’re going to be uncomfortable. When you have a teammate there to help push you, it’s powerful.”

The boys team will be buoyed by the return of senior co-captain Jacob Graham, who was out sick for the district meet. Along with sophomore Fin Lund-Andersen, the pair hope to not just medal, but hang with the top 10 for the lowest points. They’ll be followed closely by junior Clay Rasmussen, who has emerged in the past few weeks and hopes to have a breakout at state.

Senior co-captain Mark Kennaly, junior Reilly Wolfe and sophomores Cole Dillon and Peik Lund-Andersen round out a boys team that finished third at state last year. With the second through sixth teams pretty even on paper after state power Pocatello, boys coach Matt Brass hopes his charges can meet their goal of nabbing another team trophy.

The return of Graham means a lot.

“It brings a little more confidence to the group to have your No. 1 runner back, also a calmness at the line,” said Matt Brass. “Some of these guys, it’s their first time on the line. It helps to have those veterans there to work through it.”

In years past, the Bulldogs had to travel down to the Boise area for state, which while a fun experience, can also be taxing on the energy. Not only will the Bulldogs get to sleep in their own beds the night before the race on Saturday, they’ll also compete on a course they’ve run several times in the past, including last week at districts.

It’s a big advantage, and one all of the North Idaho teams will look to exploit.

“Our kids know the terrain, the uphills, the downhills. Where to make the moves, where to be conservative. Some runners are great at hills, they understand how that race suits them best,” said Brass, adding what he feels will be the key for the boys team. “Running an intelligent first mile, staying in the top third of the race. Once past the first hill, make an aggressive grab.”

The 4A girls race starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Farragut State Park, while the 4A boys race starts at noon.