The season has just begun and already Mehlville Senior High School girls’ cross country coach Shannon Hyde has reached a milestone of sorts — her program has 10 participants.

“This is a bigger girls’ team than I’ve seen since I’ve been at Mehlville,” Hyde said. “We’re hoping for good things this year.”

Senior Hannah Seabold qualified for the state championship race her freshman year, but bowed out in sectionals last year.

“We’re hoping to get her back (to the state championship) this year,” Hyde said. “Many of our girls have been training all summer long, which is something that hasn’t happened in the past.”

Another new wrinkle are the two seniors Hyde has participating.

“We’ll have great leadership this year from our two seniors,” she said. “We have a lot of young girls that can take their lead from them. I think things are looking up.”

Seabold and Emily Fitzgibbons, both seniors, will be counted on for that leadership.

Among the junior Panthers this year will be Belkisa Dautovic, Jessica Tautphaeus and Stephanie Vu, each with one year of cross country experience. Sophomore Jennifer Carter, who posted a distinguished track season last spring, was recruited for cross country this fall.

Hyde is encouraged by a large group of freshmen this season led by Cheyenne Littlefield, Gwen Warner and Erin Enger.

“At the beginning of the year the heat is really getting to us,” Hyde said. “They’ve set some personal goals. We have a lot of new faces here that have never run cross country.”

The team recently ran time trials and Hyde was impressed with the results.

“I’m anxious to see the first meet,” she said. “The girls have always been in the single digits for participation since I’ve been here. Their goal this year was to reach double digits and they have already done that.”

Mehlville Girls’ Cross Country

Sept. 1 Webster Groves Quad A 4 p.m.

Sept. 4 Jackson Invitational A 10 a.m.

Sept. 11 Forest Park Invitational A 10 a.m.

Sept. 18 Paul Enke Invitational A 10 a.m.

Oct. 1 Ron Jorgenson Inv. A 4 p.m.

Oct. 9 Conference Meet A TBA

Oct. 23 Districts A TBA

Oct. 30 Sectionals A TBA

Nov. 6 State A TBA