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Only one member of Marshalltown's varsity girls cross country lineup from 2025 graduated, leaving the Bobcats with high hopes for marked improvement this fall.
They've even centered some of those aspirations around an incoming freshman.
Head coach Kim Hurley has only two returning seniors on this year's squad, but numbers are good and expectations are better. Incoming freshman Lillian Heil has elevated the anticipation for the fall campaign, which begins tonight with the Bobcat Early Bird at Marshalltown Community College.
"Lillian's just brought the spark to us," said Hurley. "She's been amazing. She has lit a spark for all of my returning girls."
Heil finished seventh overall at the Class 4A eighth-grade girls State Middle School Championships, clocking a time of 12 minutes, 24.39 seconds over the two-mile course.
The high school race is different, covering approximately 3.1 miles, but Hurley said her newcomer is up to the challenge.
Heil will be surrounded by a host of Bobcats with varsity experience. Returning varsity runners for Marshalltown include seniors Mattea Wright and Sophia Valdez Chavez, junior Mallory Meyeraan and sophomores Grace Whitmore, Lily Johnson and Airi Hoven.
Ashlyn Rodriguez is another senior who Hurley said can contribute, along with newcomer Naysa Rottink as well as Betsy Wirin.
"Some of the girls have been running all summer," Hurley said. "One of the things we've talked about is that we all have to be all in."
The Bobcat girls were seventh out of as many teams at the state-qualifying meet last fall at MCC, and Marshalltown's season opener will include 12 other teams on the same course today.