With a returning state runner, a new state track runner and a bevy of talented freshman, the Hazen girls team cross country looks primed to compete for a league title and a spot at the state meet later this season.

“I’m very optimistic about the girls team this year,” said Hazen coach Mark Sabo. “We’ll definitely give the top teams in the league a run for their money.”

The Hazen girls team placed third in the Seamount last season.

Sophomore Michelle Wnek returns as one of the best runners in the league. She finished just nine seconds behind first place, Mount Rainier’s Alison Vrbanac, at the Seamount League meet last season. Wnek was then the Seamount’s top finisher by a wide margin at the 3A state cross country meet. She placed 22nd (fourth among freshman) with a time of 20:23.

Newcomer Erin Anderson could play a big role for the team. The sophomore ran the 400-meter dash at the 3A state track meet this spring and had previously played soccer before making the switch to cross country. Anderson placed first in the 400 meter at four races and first in the 200 meter at two races in the spring, so it’s still unknown how her speed will adapt to the longer distance. But she’s an intriguing runner for the team.

The girls team has 25 members, the most in Sabo’s time at Hazen, and just three of them are seniors. This is a young team, with a lot of space to grow.

The Hazen boys team finished third in the Seamount last season behind Lindbergh and Renton.

“We just don’t have a lot of depth on the boys team this year,” Sabo said. “There are a lot of people competing for the five, six and seven spots.”

The boys team lost sophomore Eric Miya to injury for the season. Sabo was hoping Miya would return as one of the Highlanders’ top runners after Miya had an excellent freshman year. Miya placed 15th in the Seamount League meet at the end of the season, setting the stage for a bright future.

With or without Miya, the boys team is still anchored by seniors David and Jeff Hinckley, Hazen’s two boys state competitors last season. David finished 86th, Jeff 98th (out of 148 runners). The two improved from their state meet showings in 2006, where they placed 114th (Jeff) and 130th (David).

Senior Adriel Johnson will be another important leader for the Highlanders. Johnson placed 32nd at the Seamount League meet last year and thinks Hazen might fly under the radar this year.

“It’s not as strong of a team as last year,” Johnson said. “But we have potential. We might surprise some people.”

Adam McFadden can be reached at amcfadden@reporternewspapers.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.