The Iowa Association of Track Coaches has released their preseason rankings for the 2018 Cross Country season.

As the defending state champions, the Mid-Prairie girls cross country team is the early season favorite to repeat as they took the top spot in the first poll of the year. Mid-Prairie had three individual runners ranked, led by last year’s individual state champion and state record holder Marie Hostetler. The junior comes into the season at No. 1 in class 2A. Other Golden Hawk runners in the rankings include Ana Fleming at No. 5, Mariah Brase at No. 25 and Kate Cavanagh at No. 26.

The Golden Hawk boys have one ranked runner with Quinn Schmidt taking the 29th spot in the preseason poll. Mid-Prairie will open the season Saturday when they travel to Cedar Rapids for a meet.