The Canyon View cross country teams, following successful 2008 seasons, expect to build and advance further this fall.

A year ago, the boys won the region and finished third in state, while the girls made a state appearance.

Boys’ coach Greg Harris said he is pleased with his team’s progression so far.

“We are headed in the right direction,” Harris said. “I like what we have so far and I’m excited to get started.”

The Falcons return four of their top seven runners, and their top three should provide some firepower.

Senior Kyle Winward placed eighth in state last season, and was followed closely by juniors Ben Jarvis and Matt Wright, who finished 11th and 15th, respectively.

Each of the last several years, Region 9 has had one or two runners who were clearly ahead of the rest. This year, those runners are gone, leaving the door open for the Falcons and others.

“I think the biggest difference this year is that in the past there have been runners way ahead of everyone else,” Harris said. “This year no one is way ahead, so our runners will have to adjust to taking charge of the race and knowing they are the best out there.

For the girls’ team, second-year coach Katie Eckley has high hopes. The Lady Falcons return their top five runners from a year ago.

They will be led by senior Jacey Perkins and junior Sarah Cunningham, who placed 10th and eighth, respectively, last year. Seniors Jamie Lambert and McKenna Drew will also figure in, as well as junior Lisa Cash.

“We have a lot of experience coming back,” Eckley said. “As a team, we want to place in region and go to state. We have some good competition, but I think we can do it.”

The biggest improvement the girls have made this year, Eckley said, is in their attitude.

“They want to be there and work hard and run,” she said. “The second year girls are finally understanding what cross country is all about, and how to train for it and compete.”