The mileage has been put in, the goals have been established, and now the Aberdeen Central cross country teams are prepared for the upcoming season.

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have numerous returning members from a year ago.

The Central boys would like to get the taste of last year’s state meet out of their mouths after a disappointing finish.

“We ran really poorly at state last year,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley. “Hopefully, we turn that around a little bit. We just have to run better.”

The Golden Eagles will rely on four experienced runners this fall in Carson Urlacher, Max Nelson, Esten Foss, and Tate DeVries.

Central starts its season at Pierre on Friday, before running in the Augustana Twilight meet next weekend.

“I would expect a couple kids to break 16 (minutes) at Twilight,” Murley said. “They’re certainly capable of it. They’ve really had a good summer.”

Major contributions will also be expected from Ryder Davis, Kyson Fayant, and Hayden Werlinger.

Murley said this year’s group of runners is ready to go.

“They’re a really motivated group,” Murley said. “We’re having to slow them down.”

Murley said there’s a lot more to the sport than just going out and running as fast as you can all the time.

“In order to be a good cross country runner you have to be a good racer, but more importantly you have to be OK with the process,” Murley said. “And sometimes the process is running a lot slower and a lot less than you think you are. This group is willing to do whatever you ask of them.”

The Central girls’ team features a whopping 61 runners, including a lot of sixth-graders. The Golden Eagles also have a large freshmen delegation.

“We try to make it known that we’re looking for people,” said Central girls’ coach Eric Pedersen, “and that if you don’t have something to do that cross country might be a good one.”

Of that total, the Golden Eagles will be focusing on a handful of runners to carry the load this fall. That crew includes Allie Novstrup, Allison Brenner, Khloe Cochran, Evie Novstrup, Iris Ramey, and Grace Preszler.

“I’ve got about six right now that worked really hard over the summer and I kind of view as that varsity group right now,” Pedersen said. “You score five in cross country, but having a stronger seven with that couple extra pushers in there is something you really need.”

Central was projected to finish 11th at last year’s state meet and finished ninth, according to Pedersen.

The runners have already established some goals to start this season.

“I wanted them to think a little while on it where I have them come up with season a goal for themself, a season goal for team, and then we revisit every week and do weekly goals,” Pedersen said.

While the runners are responsible for those, Pedersen has some of his own goals in mind for the Golden Eagles this season and part of that is getting off to better starts in races, and trusting their abilities.

“We’re kind of at the point where we need to, we’re still learning quite a bit, but we need to kind of start making that jump to I understand what I’m doing and I need to compete as hard as I can,” Pedersen said, “rather than learning a strategy and stuff like that.”

While the Golden Eagles are still on the young side, Pedersen would like to see the runners take a few more chances at the beginning of races.

“I’m viewing it hopefully as a turning point right now where it’s like some of those kids have been running varsity races for a couple of seasons now, where we should have an understanding,” Pedersen said. “We’re still pretty young, but we do have some experience of running varsity.”

Pedersen said that the start of races set the tone. He would like the Golden Eagles to be part of those lead packs.

“Sometimes in the past where it seems like maybe we’re afraid to put ourselves up near that top pack at the beginning of a race and then we’re almost at a disadvantage a little bit because it’s harder to make all those moves,” Pedersen said. “So, I would really like to see that a little bit more this year with just kids getting out and competing really hard from start to finish.”

Central’s lone home meet this season takes place on Thursday, Sept. 11 with the annual Sahli-Salmi meet at Lee Park Golf Course.