Fall sports preview: SHS cross country

Head coach: Michael Cobb (interim, first year)

2015 finish: Boys — 8-0 in Olympic League, first at Olympic League, West Central District meets; third at 2A state meet; Girls — 8-0 in Olympic League, first at Olympic League meet; fifth at West Central District, 12th at 2A state meet

Top returnees: Boys — Ash Francis. Girls — Kiara Pierson, Elizabeth Rosales, Noelle Bittner

Key additions: Boys — Murray Bingham, Liam Byrne, Alec Shingleton, Konnor Martin, Riley Martin. Girls — Morgan Bingham

How about a second encore?

Firs-year interim coach Michael Cobb hopes Sequim’s cross country squads haven’t peaked just yet. After back-to-back top three state finishes for the SHS boys (best in school history) and the first state appearance for Sequim’s girls since 2008 (also the last year both Sequim squads earned state berths), this year’s teams are getting a major makeover.

Gone to graduation are six of Sequim’s seven varsity boys who took third at state, and gone is top-10 state finisher Waverly Shreffer for the Sequim girls. But Cobb says there remains some strong pieces that should have Sequim competing not only for top spots in the Olympic League but in the postseason as well.

“I think the raw materials are there,” Cobb says. “We’ve got speed, got talent.

“My dream is to get a team to state.”

Leading the boys is youth in the form of sophomore Ash Francis, who helped bolster last year’s crew of seniors. He placed 32nd overall at the state 2A meet as a freshman; only Ridgefield’s Kyle Radosevich placed higher among ninth graders (22nd).

“Ash is in good shape,” Cobb says. “If he isn’t (on the podium at state), something’s wrong.”

Giving the Wolves an unexpected boost is transfer Murray Bingham, who posted sub 17-minute marks as a sophomore last year. He’ll be joined by a number of young, raw runners such as Alec Shingleton, Konnor and Riley Martin, Kyle Klopfenstein and Liam Byrne, in each of whom Cobb sees some potential.

On the girls’ side, despite losing stalwarts Waverly Shreffler and Audrey Shingleton to graduation, the Wolves look to be in decent shape. Returning is Kiara Pierson, a top-30 runner at districts, along with team veterans Elizabeth Rosales — who posted a 500-mile-plus workout regimen this summer — and Noelle Bittner.

“Guys that were the up-and-comers and leaders from the previous year worked out,” Cobb says.

Joining the mix is Bingham’s sister Morgan, who posted 19:30 marks as a junior last year. Cobb says Bingham and Pierson have already been putting in solid preseason workouts.

Cobb says Sequim has a number of young girls runners with potential as well.

“They can move well and they’re putting in the effort,” he says. “I’ve got to get two (more) solid boys and one girl to be competitive).”

Cobb takes over the cross country team — temporarily — for Harold Huff, the longtime Wolves head coach who remains a part-time assistant as he works changes to his podiatry business.

“It’s different. (Harold) has been here a fair amount,” Cobb says, noting that he is happy to let Huff offer suggestions and help out when he can. “We’re a really good team together.”

Cobb also has Debbie Crane on the coaching staff, an assistant with a deep running background herself, he says.

The Wolves open the season Sept. 10 at the Sehome Invitational in Bellingham, followed by the Three-Course Challenge in Seaside, Ore. Sequim sees their first Olympic League action Sept. 28 in Belfair when they take on Bremerton and host North Mason.