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A preview of the cross country teams at Bishop McGuinness:

Coach: Robert Youtz (sixth season at Bishop McGuinness and overall).

Conference: Northwest 1-A/2-A Conference.

The coach's example: "I run 5-6 days a week, around 40 miles a week. I have completed two marathons and a personal best 5K of 17:20 since college. I race all distances from the mile to the half marathon."

BOYS

Runners to watch: Preston Khan (senior; 17:31). Youtz says Khan should lead the team and could break 17 this season in contending for all-conference and all-region. Alex Preudhomme (sophomore; 18:48), Greg Redden (sophomore; 18:56). The coach expects Preudhomme and Redden to be among the team's top five and says they could run in the low 17s this season.

Expectations: Top three in the Northwest, contend for top four at regionals and a berth in the state meet for a sixth straight season. "With a young team the key will be to improve throughout the year and gain valuable experience," Youtz says.

2009 result: First place in Northwest, third place at Midwest Regional, seventh place at state meet.

Runners they'll miss: Austin Tritt (16:56; All-Northwest, all-regional), Alex Wordsworth (17:40), Josh Renegar (17:56), Robert Tikkanen (17:58).

GIRLS

Runners to watch: Michaela Dimoff (junior; 21:41; could contend for All-Northwest), Kathryn Bennett (junior; 22:14; candidate to make all-regional for a second straight season), Alex Errington (sophomore; 21:57; could break 21; All-Northwest and all-regional candidate), Bailey Seach (freshman; has run a 21:17; All-Northwest and all-regional candidate), Carly Kreber (freshman; has run upper 22s; will be top seven).

Expectations: Will try to defend conference and regional titles for a fifth straight year, aims to qualify for the state meet and finish in the top five. "The team is very young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores, so growing and maturing this year will be the key," Youtz says. "Hopefully, the team will stay healthy, learn each meet, and grow throughout the year."

2009 result: First place in Northwest, first place in Midwest Regional, fourth place at state meet.

Runners they'll miss: Meredith Bennett (19:13; school record holder, All-Northwest, all-regional, all-state), Katie Pellitteri (20:16; All-Northwest); Rose O’Shea (21:57; top five, "team leader whose work ethic carried over to others"), Ally Craven (21:22; top five, team leader).