PRIEST RIVER — The Priest River cross country team is still low on numbers, but the Spartans have plenty of potential this fall.

With three juniors returning — Dylan Lord, Ethan Korff and Aiden Troumbley — and three talented freshmen, head coach Lance Clark is optimistic about the boys chances of qualifying for state as a team.

"We're looking pretty good," he said.

The last time the boys made it to state was 2018. Lord was the lone Spartan to qualify for the 3A state championships last season. He finished 50th.

Korff just missed out on earning an individual berth to state in 2020. Clark said Korff and Lord put in plenty of miles over the summer and have the potential to do something special this season.

"They are just getting stronger," he said.

Brayden Lamanna, Dalton Brown and Tanner Bowers are the three freshmen for the boys and Clark expects them to have an immediate impact.

Lamanna has been hanging tough with Lord in time trials, Clark said, and the other two have already shown a lot of growth.

The girls currently have three runners — seniors Erika Swoboda and Annie Morrell, and junior Bridget Dorris.

The girls lost their sole runner from last year's squad, Annika Rantala, who finished 10th at state in 2019.

Swoboda rejoins the team after placing 27th at state as a freshman and 63rd in 2019. Morrell and Dorris are both newcomers to the Spartans.

The girls don't have enough to score as a team, but Clark believes that could change in the next few weeks.

"I'll probably be picking more kids up as we get closer to school," he said.

The cross country team is still accepting runners. Clark said just stop by the school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and talk to the new athletic director, Mike Condie.

"We'd love to have more come aboard," Clark said.

Priest River opens the season Thursday with the Post Falls River Run at Kiwanis Park. The Spartans will host the Ivan Benson Invite on Tuesday, Sept. 21.