Cross country is a sport that is thought of, primarily, as an individual sport. Running tests one’s endurance, speed and mental fortitude. But the emphasis on team at Mercer Island High School has led the girls squad to be a perennial state contender and the boys to push their way to the top.

“We have a really good team this year,” said Mercer Island Coach Erica Hill. “They all really like hanging out with each other and doing things together socially.”

The combination of that chemistry along with some great overall talent could take Mercer Island from having a few stars to having team banners.

“They all push each other to make their teammates better,” said Hill.

The Islanders will be led by captains and seniors Tyler Benster, Evan Sadler, Quinn Chasan, Lauren Sadler, Lauren Davis and Phoebe Merritt.

All six runners had good seasons last year and helped to push the team to new heights. This year, they hope to expand on that improvement.

“They were voted on by their peers,” said Hill. “The effort they have put in this summer is great.”

Hill, who had her second child at the beginning of the summer, had to rely on her captains to keep the team at its peak leading up to the preseason.

“They all have great experience,” said Hill. “All the kids will benefit from their experience. All the captains are really into the sport.”

The Islanders will need to utilize that experience this season to stay focused as the realignment of the KingCo league could throw some hidden challenges their way.

“It really hurts us in some ways,” said Hill. “We lose the competition of some really strong programs like Skyline and Newport. Losing that competitiveness is huge.”

The grueling season, when scores don’t mean as much as pack running and beating personal records, is when runners can push themselves to get better. Without good competition, the Islanders will have to find other inspiration.

“They will have to run against their personal records more,” said Hill. “This year will be more about personal improvements. The league meet won’t be as competitive either.”

Hill has tried to supplement the Islanders’ schedule with the Nike pre-nationals in Oregon, the Bellevue, Edmonds and Hoquiam invitational.

“It will be a great opportunity to see some new teams and new courses, which can only benefit us,” said Hill. “It will also allow us to practice race strategy.”

Many of the league meets will have three to four teams competing, which is more than in the past.

This season, Hill is hopeful that the boys team will bridge the gap and pull even with the high-powered girls squad that contends for the league, district and state titles nearly every year.

“It seems like the boys are always looking for that fifth or sixth guy,” said Hill. “There is no reason they can’t have an incredible team this year.”

The key to finding that last piece may be to keep the top six guys running together in an attempt to push the less experienced runners. Pack running in the past few years has become increasingly tough for the boys with the competition level of KingCo.

Despite the change in the league, Hill feels that her senior talent will give the Islanders an opportunity to do some great things this season.

“This year, we have to seize the moment,” said Hill. “We have a lot of talent that is ready to go for it.”