The Panorama High School cross country season is officially underway, and head coach Greg Thompson is looking forward to the year ahead.

Thompson says his boys team returns its entire varsity lineup for the 2013 campaign, including Hunter Simmons, who has an excellent chance to qualify for state individually.

Thompson’s girls lineup is slightly revamped this season after losing three seniors from last year’s state qualifying team, but thanks to a couple of transfers and a talented young freshman, don’t expect much of a drop off in performance.  Plus, Junior Hannah Appleseth, an individual state qualifier last season, returns to anchor a squad that should compete with Earlham for the conference crown.

Thompson’s overall goals for the season are the same as always: to be conference title contenders, advance one or both teams to the state meet, and have at least one runner qualify for state as an individual.

The two teams will run at Iowa State University this Thursday at 5 p.m. in the first varsity meet of the season.