SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After three straight Top-10 finishes at the CIF State Championships, the goals and expectations for the St. Francis cross country team are always pointed high. With a strong returning group, led by senior co-captains Miranda Myers and Peyton Bilo, the Troubadours should again be among the top programs in the state.

“We have had great success at St. Francis,” said Head Coach John DuCray. “I was not sure if we were going to be in a transition season but we have had some great times in the preseason and my hopes are elevated. The girls have worked real hard, especially with the cross training. I am very optimistic.”

Senior Miranda Myers is the top returning runner from the ninth-place state team in 2013. She was in the top 3 team finishers in every race last season and was the second Troubadour across the line at the state meet in 13th overall in 17:52, the third-fastest junior in the field last season.

“Miranda had a big-time summer,” said DuCray. “She has worked out more this summer than she ever had. She is in great shape. She has run 18 minutes in the 5K last season and hopefully she is faster this season. She is a great leader and she brings a funny, happy-go-lucky attitude with a big smile that is contagious on the team.”

Myers is ready for the challenge after establishing her credentials over the last three seasons.

 “It is a lot of pressure being a senior and captain,” said Myers. “It is nice to be a role model to all the other girls. I feel like all the hard work and training since freshmen year is finally paying off.”

A successful track season and strong summer has helped Myers enter her final cross country season with a lot of confidence.

“I think this summer was my best offseason,” said Myers. “It was about getting in the mileage and not only running by myself but running with my teammates. We also did a lot of swimming to add to our training.”

Classmate Peyton Bilo is back after missing most of the last season with an injury. She is returning to the form that helped her post a successful sophomore season and help the team to a runner-up finish at the state meet.

“She struggled through last year,” said DuCray, who is entering his 37th season at the helm. “She is looking really good and very close with Miranda. We will come to the line with a very good 1-2 punch.”

Bilo was second on the team at the state meet in 2012, crossing the line 30th overall, and was the team’s top finisher at the Nike Nationals.

“It feels a lot better,” said Myers of the Bilo’s return. “Last year I struggled not having her. I had Madison and Lauren but it just wasn’t the same. It is good to have her by my side for the training and getting through the hard workouts.”

Departed seniors Lauren LaRocco (Portland) and Madison Rawson (Ole Miss) will be missed but DuCray hopes he can reload with the talent in the program.

DuCray, , who shares the accolades with a talented coaching staff including Mason Myers, Rich Willett, Joe Poggi, Raul Beltran and Laura Frazier, will use the first two meets to establish the depth of his varsity unit. The Troubadours open the season Saturday at the Oakmont Invitational (4K, 2.5 miles) and travel to the Ed Sias Invitational (2 mile) on Sept. 13.

“We start the season with two really great meets to evaluate the team,” said DuCray. “We will use those two meets to see who will challenge for the Top 7.”

Junior Chase Worthen (121st at the 2013 state meet), senior Ariel Medina, junior Gabrielle Dyer and junior Ariane Arndt will all contribute. DuCray also likes the freshmen class.

“I think we have one of the top freshmen classes we have had in years and am excited about the future,” said DuCray.

The Troubadours will debut a new Adidas uniform top on Saturday.

“We have the top of the line and cutting edge uniform out on the market,” said DuCray. “We are going to debut a great looking uniform and hopefully we will run as good as we are going to look.”

St. Francis Cross Country

State Finish: 9th. Section Finish: 2nd. Delta River League: 1st

Top Returnees: Miranda Myers (Senior), Peyton Bilo (Senior), Chase Worthen (Senior), Ariel Medina (Senior), Gabrielle Dyer (Junior), Ariane Arndt (Junior)