Despite losing several key athletes from last fall’s varsity squad, the Bothell High boys’ cross country team still has a handful of pillars to stand on.

Incoming junior Brandon Simmons was a standout last season as the only Cougar to break the 16-minute mark, the only Cougar to place in the top-10 at districts and the only Cougar to qualify for the state championships.

He leads an experienced pack of juniors, which will make up a large portion of the varsity team. Zach Chupik, Shane Barringer and Tyler Schenck were all varsity-level runners for Bothell last fall, helping the Cougars to a fourth-place finish at the Class 4A KingCo championships.

Jarrod Byers, another junior, and Logan Milandin, will also be key returning names for Bothell. Milandin was the top freshmen in the program last season.

The Cougars add four faces to the pool in sophomore Dylan Lennon and freshmen Alex McCain, Brandon Schenck and Evan Mooseker.

The girls’ team has a young standout as well: incoming sophomore Liza Yusem. After narrowly breaking into the top-20 at districts last fall, Yusem picked up valuable experience from the state championship meet in Pasco. She was the eighth-fastest freshman to qualify.

The girls’ team also returns seniors Madison Velequez, Jessi Zemp, Brittany McCain and Brielle DeRosia, as well as sophomore Samantha Crumbaugh — nearly the entire varsity roster. The only missing piece is Megan Morris, who graduated last spring.

First-year head coach Shelby Schenck said the girls’ team will add sophomore Annika Beck and freshmen Mallory Harder and Ena Borgen.

Bothell competed in the KingCo XC Two-Mile Races on Sept. 7, and the Sehome Invitational on Sept. 10. Bothell’s freshman and junior classes were among the fastest in the boys’ division on Sept. 10.

Correction: In an earlier version of this article, the spelling of of Tyler, Brandon and Shelby Schenck was misstated.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 7, KingCo XC Two-Mile Races

Sept. 10, Sehome Invitational

Sept. 14, Bothell, Woodinville at Eastlake

Sept. 21, Mt. Si at Bothell

Oct. 1, Nike Twilight XC Invitational

Oct. 5, Bothell, Skyline at Inglemoor

Oct. 8, Leavenworth Invitational

Oct. 12, Issaquah, Newport at Bothell

Oct. 22, KingCo Championships

Nov. 5, WIAA State Championships