File Photo (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

EBEN JUNCTION — Numbers and experience appear to be plentiful for the Superior Central boys as they begin a new cross country season.

The Cougars, who opened in the Engadine Rock & Roll Relays Aug. 19, travel to Sawyer for the Gwinn Invitational Sept. 2.

They have 12 boys, including seven seniors, and six girls on their team.

“We’re looking forward to a real good year,” fifth-year coach Holly McDonnald said. “All of our seniors have run through high school. This is the most I’ve had since I started coaching.”

Seniors Cody Moore and Cole Ozoga placed third in the two-person relay at Engadine.

Other seniors include Isaac Gleason, Carter Korpi, Jack Kasten, Chris Kulik and Joseph Augustyn.

Additional upperclassmen are juniors Evan Simon and Zander Mullins.

Underclassmen include sophomore Gavin Stedelton and freshmen Scott Lasee and Jerry Kulik.

“We have some depth,” McDonnald said. “We’re excited. The kids are in shape. We’re going to give other teams a run for their money.”

The girls are led by senior Kiera McDonnald, who teamed with sophomore Kendra Pederson, for a fifth-place finish at Engadine. Sophomores Emma Stiliecki and Meredith Kempker placed ninth.

“Kiera is a natural leader,” coach McDonnald said. “She has done a great job showing the other girls how it’s done and encouraging them.”

Additional harriers are junior Emilia Tissue and sophomore Aiyana Taskey.

“Emilia ran as a freshman, but missed her sophomore year due to knee and hip issues,” coach McDonnald said. “Aiyana also ran as a freshman. We’re happy with having six which is what I was hoping for. This is a learning year for many of them. This is a young team, but it will be exciting when the girls are seniors. The future is looking brighter every year.”

The Cougars have gone to a cross country camp on Grand Island for the past four summers.

“That’s the most amazing camp,” coach McDonnald said. “It worked out so well for the kids. They’ve been helping at the Saturday races (last weekend of July). Kim Spranger (assistant coach) and I go together and the kids run hills, get free food and we camp out all week. This is the second year we went for a full week. We look forward to it every year.”

The Cougars are hosting their invitational Sept. 13 and the Skyline Central Conference meet Oct. 8.

The remaining schedule:

Sept. 2 — Gwinn Invitational at Sawyer; Sept. 13 — Superior Central Invitational; Sept. 20 — Rapid River Invitational; Sept. 23 — El Harger Memorial Invitational at Munising; Sept. 29 — at Naubinway.

Oct. 2 — Escanaba Eskymo Invitational; Oct. 13 — Powers North Central Invitational; Oct. 18 — U.P. (Division 3) Finals at Munising.