Hannah Waskom owned the distance records for the Mount Si girls cross country squad as a freshman. Now, she and the rest of the Wildcat running contingent look to improve in 2014.

“The team this year is all about adjusting to 4A, getting used to harder competition, and rising to the challenges that 4A will bring us,” said the sophomore.

The school record holder in the 1,600 and the 3,200 meter races in track, Waskom broke the girls school record for the 5K last November. This season, she’s seeking to cut time off her 19-minute 5K time last year. Like other teammates, she put in some good training time in the off-season. “We were building a base over the summer. Now we’re in the cross country season, we can work more on speed,” she said.

After Waskom, look for veteran runner Lindsey Sydnor to make an impact for the girls team.

Sophomore Grant Baker will be one of the faster boys this season. He ran an 18:30 5K last year, and is hoping to shave off a lot of that time this season.

“I have to work at it,” he says of the sport. But Baker loves cross country.

“You feel really accomplished, (with) the sense of achievement that you get,” he said.

The boys team is deep, but young.

“It’s definitely a building year,” Baker said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year. But by the time I’m a senior, we’re going to have a really good team, and be able to take on 4A. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll do well.”

Mount Si Cross country schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 10

• Mount Si vs. Bothell, Eastlake, Inglemoor, Newport, Redmond and Woodinville at Lake Sammamish State Park, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

• Mount Si vs Issaquah and Newport at Issaquah High School, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24

• Mount Si hosts Redmond and Woodinville, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8

• Mount Si vs Inglemoor and Skyline at Klahanie Park, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

• Mount Si vs Bothell and Eastlake at Beaver Lake Cross Country Course, 4 p.m.