MOUNT BAKER

MOUNTAINEERS

Coaches: Kristen Hayes and Jay Sloane

Last year: Finished 10th at the NWC Championships. Finished ninth at the 2A Northwest District Meet and had one runner advance to state.

Runners to watch: Dillon Quintana (sr.), Shelby Miles (jr.), Ishmael Villaluz (jr.)

Outlook: The best news for Mount Baker is that Quintana is healthy after missing all of 2010 with injuries and being shut down again late last year. He's not just healthy, he's fast. "We ran at Lake Padden and he was 40 seconds faster," Hayes said in a phone interview. Miles is also healthy after a four-wheeler accident and is expected to run strong. Freshman Kody Kelly could make an impact. Numbers are a little bit of a concern, with only 10 boys out, but that's more in line with the teams Mount Baker will see at Class 1A this year. "This is a good group of kids," Hayes said. "They're working hard, and I think they're excited about being 1A and doing better."

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.