SEHOME

MARINERS

Coaches: Mark Kerr and Kevin Ryan

Last year: Won the team title at the NWC Championships. Won the 2A Northwest District title. Finished second at the 2A State Championships and had Conner Johnsen place fifth and Reed Henderson 11th.

Runners to watch: Reed Henderson (sr.), Conner Johnsen (sr.), Kirby Overman (so.), Liam Toney (sr.), Colton Johnsen (fr.), Riley Allsop (fr.), Andrew Muljat (fr.), Peter Finfrock (sr.), Nathan LeTavec (jr.), Langston Engle (so.)

Outlook: The top-ranked Mariners return five of the seven runners from the state team that finished second to Lindbergh by just one point last year. "They've had the best summer of training in recent memory," Ryan said in a phone interview. "They've had really good focus. They're not happy at having lost by one point, and I think each of them individually looked at themselves and said I might have been the reason why. That's why they put the work in." Johnsen and Henderson are as good as any on the top end, and a bunch of youngsters and some veterans are looking to step up to help Sehome go for its third title in five years.

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