The return of several all-league members should help the Oak Harbor High School cross country team continue as one Wesco’s best.

The Wildcat girls are led by sophomore Alex Smith, a first-team, all-Wesco choice in 2015. Seniors Carolyn Wicker, Laura Rodeheffer and Emma Lerch all earned second-team honors.

For the boys, senior Miguel Guzman and junior Jake Hucko made the all-Wesco North second team last fall; junior Michael Lym was honorable mention.

Other returning letter winners for the girls are seniors Natalie Merrill and Kaitlyn Chelberg.

Returning for the boys are senior Wyatt Pauley, juniors Ben Gasper and Tyler Grehan, and sophomore Joe Ralston.

Key newcomers for the girls are Alora Caillier, Catherine Wicker and Shandiin Vandervene.

“They are a group of younger runners with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement,” coach Eric Peterson said.

The boys will get a boost from newcomers Peyton Horn, Kegan Snell, Cameron Costner, Nick Krantz and Seth Gluth.

“They bring either running experience or have a high level of fitness from being soccer players,” Peterson said.

The girls’ strength as a team is their experience and numbers, according to Peterson. The Wildcats feature a talented senior class and have their biggest turnout in recent years with 20 members.

Although the boys are young, they, too, are veterans.

“While we are not loaded with seniors, we do have a great group of guys that have run before. They have put in the work this off season, and we’re excited to see how it pays off.”

The runners’ “work ethic will surely pay dividends at the end of the season,” he added.

The Wildcat girls placed second and the boys third in the Wesco meet last fall. Smith finished third individually for the girls, while Guzman led the boys by taking 12th.

Oak Harbor travels to Bellingham for the Sehome Invitational at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. The lone home meet is 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.