GLADSTONE — There will be plenty of new faces on the cross country courses when Gladstone opens its season.

The Braves have a combined 15 runners, including seven freshmen.

They open today at 10 a.m. in the Queen City Invitational at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.

“We’ll find out where we’re at after a few meets,” said coach Gary Whitmer. “Sometimes you get some good freshmen, and I think we can move up this season. There’s enough talent. There’s also room for improvement.”

The boys have 10 on their team including senior Drew Hughes, a Division 1 all-state selection and last year’s Upper Peninsula Runner of the Year.

Also among returners are junior Tanner Howes, sophomore Aaron Hughes and senior Alex Eilola.

Drew Hughes, who placed third in last year’s U.P. Finals, comes into the season as two-time defending Great Northern and Mid-Peninsula Conference champ.

“Drew has been our leader for the past two years,” said Whitmer. “He’s in top shape. Tanner was about 10 seconds behind Drew in a two-mile time trial and is looking real strong. Aaron is a good kid who has run some nice times, and Alex is going to get in better shape. He could surprise himself. We’re pretty well balanced among our freshmen. When you see the kids working hard, you just know they’re going to get better.”

Additional hopefuls include sophomore Drew LaFave and freshmen Tyler Soderman, Teagan Reynolds, Max Beauchamp, Grady Nelson and Cole Williams.

Whitmer points to Marquette as the team to beat in the U.P.

“They’re loaded,” he said. “They have six of their seven runners back. It’s going to be hard to catch them. Houghton and Sault Ste. Marie are also strong.”

The girls have five on their roster.

Among last year’s graduates are all-stater Sam Strasler, All-U.P. selection Jamisyn Bergeron and Lilly Karl.

“We lost our top four through graduation,” said Whitmer. “This is absolutely a rebuilding year. Our top three are pretty close. We have a lot of little injuries from last spring, but some look like they’re getting over the hump, which is encouraging.”

Sophomore Lauren Sundquist has been the early pacesetter, followed by junior Kayla Farnes and freshman Payton Takkunen.

Other hopefuls are sophomore Kristy Karl and freshman Lexi Gilbert.

“Kristy is coming off ankle surgery, although I think she’ll come around,” said Whitmer. “Lauren has an ankle injury from softball but seems to be coming along, and Payton is right behind Kayla.”

The Houghton girls are two-time defending U.P. champions.

Gladstone will host the Finals Oct. 22 at Flat Rock.

The schedule:

Sept. 7 — Manistique Invitational; Sept. 10 — Newberry Invitational; Sept. 17 — Holly Invitational; Sept. 27 — Munising Invitational.

Oct. 1 — Sault Ste. Marie Invitational; Oct. 4 — Gladstone Invitational at Flat Rock; Oct. 13 — GNC meet at Escanaba; Oct. 17 — M-PC meet at Negaunee; Oct. 22 — U.P. Finals at Flat Rock.