Cross country will draw more attention than usual in the Flathead Valley this fall for a variety of reasons.

It all starts with Glacier junior standout Annie Hill, who is listed as the fourth best prep runner nationally in the Saucony Flo50 individual girls rankings on the MileSplit.com website.

Hill has won the last two Class AA state titles, setting an all-class record with a time of 16 minutes, 30.71 seconds last year at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Great Falls.

On the national level, Hill has placed eighth and 22nd, respectively, the last two years at the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego.

The Bigfork girls, who captured the Class B state championship last year for the first time since the 1970s, will again be led by Bryn Morley. Morley, a junior, won her first individual state championship in 2015 to continue that family’s domination of the sport at the school. The Valkyries feel they have enough depth and talent to do it again.

Her brother Logan, now a freshman at Colorado State University-Pueblo, also won state last year while sister Makena won four straight titles, the last in 2014.

Sage Wanner of Columbia Falls finished eighth at state, but has already emerged as a front-runner in Class A with a brilliant early-season opening time of 15: 53 Aug. 27 at the Libby Invitational. He followed with a third-place showing at the Mike Reynolds Time Trials in Cut Bank, finishing in 16:15 and behind two Class AA runners.

The Perrin family tradition continues at Flathead High School with Ben, a sophomore. He finished 17th at AA state last year while his brother Jake, in his senior season, won the individual title. He’s now running for Gonzaga.

Older brother Zach, a junior at the University of Colorado, won AA state for the Braves as a senior in 2012.

Ben won the Time Trials in Cut Bank and was second at Libby.

And there’s more ...

The season will conclude with the all-class state meet here on Oct. 22 at picturesque Rebecca Farm. It marks the first time Kalispell has hosted this event.

State meets have previously been held in Butte, Billings, Helena, Great Falls and Missoula. Most of those events were held at golf courses.

“It’s a big responsibility to hold any kind of state meet,” veteran Flathead cross country coach Paul Jorgensen said.

“We have the course pretty much laid out. The Rebecca Farm people are doing everything to help us out and prepare the course for putting on a state meet. They have gone the extra mile.”

Jorgensen said a few changes have been made in the course layout, which will feature a new starting area to make it more viewer friendly for everyone.

“It’s not manicured like a golf course,” Jorgensen.

“But it’s in good shape from what I’ve seen so far.”

The Flathead Invitational, which also takes place at Rebecca Farm, is Friday (2 p.m. junior varsity; 3:30 p.m. varsity). Normally this event is held on Saturday. Race officials expected a record field this year for the invitational because of the state meet to follow.

“They will all want to run it,” Jorgensen said.

“It’s a much larger meet than what we’ve had.”

Class AA

Flathead

This marks Jorgensen’s 44th season as head coach.

“I like what I’m going, so I keep doing it,” he said.

He’s also been one of the state’s most successful coaches.

“We’re a really young team this year,” he said.

“We only have three seniors. We had a light turnout (18).”

In normal years, it’s 20-25 runners.

Ben Perrin, along with senior Jaden Anderson, put in a lot of miles during the summer. It showed as they finished second and third, respectively, at the Libby Invitational. They were separated by just four seconds.

“He’s a hard worker like his two older brothers,” Jorgensen said of Ben.

“He’s typical Perrin. They all run in the offseason, which really helps. I wish I could get everyone to run like that.”

Jorgensen said Anderson has “good basic speed. He’s highly motivated.”

“It remains to be seen,” he said of what’s in store for this edition of the Braves.

“It’s a real nice group. They work hard. Because of that work ethic, they are bound to improve.”

Flathead was fourth at state last year, 16 points behind third place Billings Senior.

Jesse Rumsey begins her third season as head coach of the girls.

“We’re young this year,” she said.

“We have great dynamics with our team. They are hard-working, competitive girls.”

Rumsey called this year’s turnout “great” with 28 at practices.

“Only four seniors,” she said.

“Seven new freshmen and a lot of sophomores and juniors new to cross country.”

Kaitlin Wride, a junior, is the top returner from state. She finished sixth a year ago.

Senior Nicole Bouma has been one of Rumsey’s top runners for the past three seasons. Bouma had the top time at Libby and placed sixth at Cut Bank.

“She did a lot of offseason running,” Rumsey said.

“She’s a very experienced runner.”

Wride missed the season opener because she had her wisdom teeth removed.

“She’s on par, the same place she was last year,” Rumsey said of Wride’s conditioning.

“She has incredible mental toughness.”

That showed at Cut Bank where she finished fourth.

Sophomore Sadie Wilson, who ran at state a year ago, shared her fall season with soccer. This year, she’s not playing soccer.

“I expect to see a lot of improvement with her focusing on just one sport,” Rumsey said.

On the course at Rebecca Farm ...

“Paul Jorgensen and I have been working hard on the course to make it the best venue,” Rumsey said.

“I’m excited. It’s a traditional, authentic cross country course.”

The Bravettes were fifth at state in 2015.

Glacier

Hill passed on the Libby meet, but is ready to compete.

“She raced a lot through the summer, so we’re starting her a little later,” Glacier coach Jacob Deitz said.

“It’s good to see her up there,” he said of Hill’s national ranking.

“It’s great. Montana, especially on the girls side, has a tradition of great girl athletes.”

Regarding Hill’s season ...

“We always want to do better,” Deitz said.

“She’s set some high goals, but were always looking for improvement. She put in a summer of real hard work. Running is obviously really important to her. She’s something special.”

Glacier was led by Addie Labrum, a freshman, at Libby. She finished seventh.

“For her first race, I was really excited for her,” Deitz said.

Bailey Smith, a senior, was six seconds behind in eighth place.

“A lot of young kids, which is exciting,” Deitz said of this year’s girls squad.

“A great turnout (23 runners).”

For the Glacier boys, juniors Elijah Boyd and Joseph Vanden Bos, senior Brock Adkins and sophomore Aren Alexander-Batee finished 6-9 at Libby. They packed well, with Boyd and Alexander-Batee separated by just 28 seconds.

“I was happy with that,” Deitz said.

“They worked really hard this summer. It was fun to see them where they were at.”

With 21 names on the roster, Deitz is excited about the season.

“We have a good core of kids, hard workers,” he said.

“Running as a pack will make a big difference for us. We have no front-runners, but a strong pack.”

The Glacier boys were fifth at state last year while the girls were sixth.

Class A

Columbia Falls

First-year head coach Jim Peacock has plenty of numbers to work with as 45 runners are on his roster. He told the Hungry Horse News that’s up 15 from a year ago.

“It’s a great mix of returning experience and young kids with energy and high enthusiasm,” he was quoted by the newspaper.

Wanner appears to be ahead of schedule after coming off a strong spring track season. He won the Class A state title in the 3,200 and was third in the 1,600.

Winfield West was 16th in Libby and 33rd at Cut Bank.

Will Nelson, Gabe Knudsen, Bill Bennett and Dillon Wanner are the other top runners.

“He’ll surprise the heck out of people by October,” Peacock said of Knudsen.

The girls return Genevieve DeLorme and Raina Crowell, who were 23rd and 33rd, respectively, at state last year. Also back is Raychel Hoerner and Lacy Johns.

Freshman Kimberly Peacock is expected to have a banner first season. She finished second at Libby and was fifth at Cut Bank.

Freshman Kara Mohr should be another immediate contributor.

“The girls side has really good depth,” he said.

“They all have a can-do attitude.”

The Columbia Falls girls were 11th at state last year while the boys placed 14th.

Peacock was an assistant coach last year.

Polson

The Polson girls enter the season with high expectations.

The Pirates finished fourth last year, four points behind third-place Hardin.

With its three top runners back, along with a new addition to the squad, claiming a trophy is definitely within reach and a team goal.

“We think we have a shot to be top three, maybe even have a run at the championship,” coach Matt Seeley, who is in his 11th season as head coach, said.

“I have been excited about this team for a long time. Our sixth, 10th and 16th place finishers are back.”

Placing in those spots were Ryan Harrop, a junior, Mailia Seeley, a junior, and Molly Sitter, a sophomore.

“She had a good finish to the season last year,” coach Seeley said of Harrop.

“What’s held her back some is shin splints, but she’s ready to go.”

She did not run Aug. 30 at the season opener — the Butte Central Invitational.

Mailia Seeley had a good track season last spring, qualifying for state in both the 1,600 and 3,200.

“Maybe a little bit ahead of where she was last year,” coach Seeley said of his daughter.

“She will be solid for us.”

He said Sitter is “motivated” this year after coming within one place of earning all-state honors (top 15).

“She’s run a lot,” he said.

“She finished ahead of Mailia (at Butte Central).”

Beatrice Frissell, a sophomore, was the team’s leading runner at Butte, finishing fourth overall. She played soccer last year. She was a fourth place state finisher in the 800 and 1,600 last track season.

“She’ll be our top runner,” coach Seeley said.

“She adds to our experience. That will give us a boost.”

The Polson girls won state in 1994. They finished third four years ago, according to coach Seeley.

“We’ve always been kind of up there,” he said.

“This year well feel we’ll be right there.”

The boys have 20 runners out, which is the biggest squad coach Seeley has had to work with. Of that group, seven are freshman.

The team’s top returner from state last year is Quin Stewart. He finished 45th.

Matt Sitter, a senior, will be looking to qualify for state for a fourth time come October.

Zach Evertz, a junior, has been the team’s top runner for the last two years.

“He suffered a foot injury in the conference meet,” coach Seeley said of Evertz. “He broke a bone in his foot. He’s a little more motivated to come back stronger this year.”

Coach Seeley said he expects Stewart to challenge for all-state honors this year.

“He’ll move up if he runs like he continues to. He should be top 15. That’s his goal and for us. He did a lot of summer running. The track season also helped him a lot. He got the bug for running more.”

Whitefish

After spending many seasons with the Columbia Falls program, Richard Menicke is now in charge of the Bulldogs.

“It’s different,” he said.

“I’m getting used to the changes. It’s cool seeing kids I’ve watched grow up become young adults. For me, that’s very rewarding to have that background.”

Menicke, who lives in the Whitefish school district, inherits a strong girls program. They finished second at state and have wealth of talent.

“The future is bright,” he said.

“I’m excited to see where these girls take their abilities.”

The team’s No. 3 and 4 runners from a year ago are back — sophomore Braya Hobson and junior Laurel Davidson. They finished 19th and 21st, respectively.

Hobson was 15th overall at the Libby meet. Josephine Vardell, a freshman, led Whitefish at that outing with a ninth-place showing. Jessica Henson, another freshman was 12th.

Ella Greenberg, a sophomore, was 17th.

Whitefish finished second to Glacier in the team standings at Libby.

“The girls ran exceptionally well,” Menicke said.

“To have four girls in the top 20, that’s super exciting. All those girls are young.”

Another freshman he is high on is Katie Arterburn. She did not have enough practices in to run in the opener.

He said senior Jessica McCoy will figure into the varsity scoring as will senior team captain Adia Saurey.

On the boys side, Menicke said senior Ethan Pothoff and junior Joshua Weller “have done a tremendous job with motivating (the runners) and keeping them on track.”

Pothoff was 13th in Libby and Weller 34th.

Eric Holdhusen, a junior, was 31st.

“We have a nice blend of older returning guys, notably Sage Cornelius and Weller and strong varsity runners who are back,” Menicke said.

“And brand new guys like incoming freshman Bridger Gaertner and sophomore Josiah Holien. “They are having an impact already.”

Class B

Bigfork

Sue Loeffler, now in her 32nd year of coaching, is confident her girls can repeat.

“We have a shot at defending our title,” she said.

She was also impressed with how her girls performed at Libby, fourth behind Glacier, Whitefish and Timberlake, Idaho, in the team standings.

Morley did not compete in that event, but is expected to be ready in time for state.

“We’re easing her back in so she doesn’t re-injure that,” Loeffler said.

“She won’t be competing for awhile.”

Morley suffered a stress fracture last spring.

Anya Young, a sophomore, finished third at Libby. She was third at state last year.

Alicia Kalenak was 14th.

Gabby Eaton, a senior who also played soccer last year, is concentrating on just cross country this fall. She was on the state team in 2015.

Loeffler said her boys are young and inexperienced.

She’s expecting big things from Anton Young, a freshman, along with Slater Ream, a junior, and Kalvin Eaton, a sophomore.

Both programs have 10 athletes out this fall, which is “the most we’ve ever had for boys and girls,” Loeffler said.

“We’re excited about that.”

She said having the state meet here is a big plus for her program.

“We’re not funded (by the school), so it won’t cost us as much. We don’t have to pay for a motel and such. That makes it easier.”

Eureka

Coach Andrew Gideon expects his girls to have an excellent fall campaign.

“Last year Bigfork No. 1, Manhattan No. 2, that’s probably a pretty good idea of the top two teams again for this year,” he said.

“Bigfork is a cross-country machine and Manhattan’s program is phenomenal. Townsend, Red Lodge, and Eureka will be in the top five mix.”

Gideon expects Tyann Totten, Mckay Guckenberg and Capree Daniels to garner all-conference and all-state honors next month. Totten and Guckenberg were all-conference last year, while Totten made all-state, finishing 14th and helping the Lions finish third as a team.

Guckenberg was 21st at state and Daniels 34th.

For the boys ...

“Manhattan and Townsend are definitely the top two teams again,” Gideon said.

“Red Lodge, Ronan, Thompson Falls, St. Labre and Eureka will be the rest of the top seven in the state this year.”

The Eureka boys were seventh year in 2015.

The Lions welcome back Jamie Good, who was 13th at state.

“He is being pushed by Hunter Steele and Garrett Bates for all-conference and all-state,” Gideon said.

“Moshe Henderson is another quality senior for us.

“Our program is strong,” he said.

“I love this group and I am blessed to coach them. We have some extremely hard workers and some good team personality.

This will be a good year again.”

Gideon added that Eureka is only team that has had both boys and girls in the top three at divisionals the past two years.

“We want and will work for that again,” he said.

“We would like to challenge Manhattan to be a program that gets both boys and girls in the top three at state.”

Libby

Rodd Zeiler’s goal in his first year has head coach is to set the foundation for a strong program.

It starts with getting the numbers and up. From there, getting athletes to accept the challenges the sport has to offer.

“Our goal for this team, and the next one, is to learn how to approach and beat the wall with grace and poise without breaking down and doubling over,” he said.

“To run through pain and look good doing it.”

Libby opened the season at home last month with its invitational. Tim Goodman was 19th for the boys; Lauren Thorstenson finished 24th for the girls.

“The best highlight was that everyone that did run, made the state qualifying time,” he said.

“They were proud of that. Some kids, it was their first time running cross country. Three miles was huge for them.”

Zeiler said Thorstenson and Goodman both spent time running over the summer.

“We’re still filling our team,” Zeiler said.

“We have several more coming out. We’re still recruiting, still running a little thin (on numbers).”

He said the Flathead Invitational at Rebecca Farm is a key date on the calender.

“We’ll set our times and make goals and see if we meet them,” he said.