Postseason experience from 2019 should greatly help the Blanco girls cross country team this year.

The Lady Panthers return seven lettermen from a squad that advanced to regionals a year ago.

“They are a young team, and I see awesome potential in them,” said coach Michael Seales.

Returning letter winners include Lauren Anderson, McKenna Clark, Riley Edmondson, Daryn Kirkland, Avery Nance, Ella West and Kendall Kramer. Blanco lost just two seniors from last year’s team.

The Lady Panthers finished 22nd at regionals, a week after taking third place in the district meet. Blanco had three top 20 finishes last year at district, and all three return this year in West, Anderson and Kirkland.

Seales also expects big things this year from a pair of varsity newcomers, Evelyn Trammell and Laci Creswell.

Seales said he expects big contributions from all members of his team this year. Reasons he has high expectations in 2020 include his team’s “willingness to work hard at practice and positive attitudes.”

The Lady Panthers will need to “push their limits” in order to be more successful in 2020, Seales said.

Joshua Ludolf is the lone returning letterman for the Blanco boys cross country team. He is a three-year letterman on the squad.

Seales has high expectations for Ludolf, and said the Panthers are “working hard to be as successful as possible.” Ludolf finished 28th last season at the district meet.

The coach also praised the Panthers’ hard work and positive attitudes, and wants to see them continue to push themselves as the season goes on.

As far as the COVID-19 pandemic impacting his team’s preparation, Seales said it “has lengthened the season, and only allows a certain number to run at a time.”

Blanco opens the season Sept. 10 at Harper, the first of six meets before the district meet set for Oct. 26 at Lago Vista. Other meets include at Wimberley, twice at Comfort and twice at Llano. The regional meet is Nov. 9 in Corpus Christi and the state meet is Nov. 23 in Round Rock