JEFFERSON TWP — Nathaniel Pettit has a commitment to the many traditions that serve as a foundation for the Knoch boys cross country program.

Pettit, who is part of a senior-laden returning group for the defending WPIAL Class AA champion Knights, noted them as a highlight during his six seasons with the program.

“We have so many traditions. It's not exactly the most glorious sport,” Pettit said. “There's no glory in wearing those super short shorts. There's a lot of self-pride and motivation that is necessary and that this team has.”

Commitment to building that tradition has Knoch trending upward.

The Knights return six of their top seven runners from a team that placed fourth in the state last year.

Three-time state qualifier Brandon Grumski, Matt Mellish, Zach Mesistis and Nick Helfer are the other seniors for the Knights.

Wess Brahler, who is in his 14th year as coach, had a plan for his runners to build to 50 miles a week by mid-August.

“I think what is really helping us that we can stress the team concept is that we're in this together,” Brahler said. “That's been our slogan at Knoch: together. We try to build around that and go about our business.”

There are three basic kinds of workouts for Knoch. Grumski enjoys the one that ends in the pool.

When the Knights do speed workouts at Sebco pool from 8 to 10 a.m. they cap the run by getting in the water.

“I like long days and getting in the pool after long days,” Grumski said.

Knoch also returns a bevy of juniors, including Max Freyermuth, John Ejzak and Aidan Neigh. Sophomore Isaac Davanzati and freshman Austin Micko will also be in the mix for the Knights.

Grumski hopes they can repeat as WPIAL champions and push for something more.

“I love standing up on the podium,” Grumski said. “I'm trying to gather that same feeling and push freshmen to wanting to win the title. It's pushing me a lot.”

That tradition has everybody on the same page.

“We've had some amazing leadership,” Pettit said. “Guys like Van McCarren and Artie Black, who were great runners and great people. There's a commitment to make the program strong and represent it well.”

Here's a look at what the rest of the Butler County has coming back:

A-C Valley

Coach: Chrissy Hanna, second season.

Last year's record: N/A.

Top returners: John Anderson, Sr.

Outlook: Hanna's squad has five runners out for the team this year. She looks for Anderson to challenge for a spot at states.

“He's saying he has a feeling deep down that he's going to make states and he doesn't care what it takes to get there,” Hanna said. “That kid would go out and run 18 miles if I told him to.”

Butler

Coach: Rick Davanzati, 11th season.

Last year's record: 5-3.

Top returners: Ethan Linnon, Sr.; Noah Beveridge, Soph.

Up and coming: Steven Patterson, Jr.; Cullen Paulisick, Jr.

Outlook: The Golden Tornado only return two of its top seven runners from last season.

Beveridge is a returning state qualifier. Davanzati expects a rebuilding year in what should be a tough section.

“I just want to see steady improvement as the year goes on,” Davanzati said. “We have some talent as long as they are willing to show hard they will show improvement.”

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic

Coach: Stacy Kopchak, second season.

Last year's record: N/A.

Top returners: Jonathan Dunham, Jr.; Mick Setcic, Jr.; Chris Virsock, Soph.

Up and coming: Justin Higgins, Soph.

Outlook: North Catholic hopes another year of experience will help advance the program.

“I'd like to see them run a little bit faster times,” Kopchak said. “We're doing some of the same invitationals and will see how they progress. No one had run those courses before last season.”

Freeport

Coach: Bob Livrone, 18th season.

Last year's record: 5-3.

Top returners: Tyler Ben, Sr.; Noah Bowser, Sr.; Nathan McCombs, Sr.; Alec Barker, Soph.; Johnathan Asay, Soph.

Up and Coming: Malique Nadzam, Jr.

Outlook: Livrone has high expectations for the Yellowjackets, who return a good mix of experience.

“I think the guys will contend for the section title,” Livrone said. “They've been working for this since junior high, the seniors have been around the program for five or six years.”

Grove City

Coach: Mike Sample, 17th season.

Last year's record: 6-0, District 10 champions. PIAA Class AA runners-up.

Top returners: Dylan McConnell, Sr.; Braden Pyle, Jr.; Jacob Powell, Jr.; Ben McKnight, Soph.

Up and coming: Jacob Hughes, Jr.; Luke Jonah Owery, Freshmen; Powell, Freshman

Outlook: The Eagles return three of its top five runners from a team that finished second in the state. Grove City doesn't have the same type of lineup.

“We don't have the one-two punch we had last season,” Sample said. “We don't have a front runner that would be top five in any race. What's going to be a strength for us this year is our depth. We have seven individuals that run under 17 minutes, 40 seconds.”

Karns City

Coach: Colin Gaiser, fifth season.

Last year's record: 4-5.

Top returners: Grant Curdo, Sr.; Bryce Ellenberger, Sr.; Conrad Snyder, Sr.; Kevin Codispot, Sr.; Ian McElroy, Jr.

Up and coming: Alec Webber, Soph; Eli Cowoski, Soph.

Outlook: Gaiser thinks good things could be ahead for the Gremlins.

“We're looking to improve on last year's record,” Gaiser said. “We have a lot of returners and are guardedly optimistic about the team.”

Mars

Coach: Joelle Patterson, first season.

Last year's record: WPIAL third place.

Top returners: Lucas Johansson, Sr.; Nathan Mrdjenovich, Sr.; Evan Deddo, Jr.; Caleb Keys, Soph.

Up and coming: Brent Metal, Freshman; Connor Volk-Klos, Freshman; John Zervos, Freshman.

Outlook: Patterson has a big team and will look to work toward being as successful as the Planets squad that qualified for the PIAA Class AA playoffs last season.

Mrdjenovich was Mars' top finisher at WPIALs last season, placing sixth.

“Hopefully we can do at WPIALs like last year,” Patterson said. “The goal is to make states with the boys as a team.”

Moniteau

Coach: Greg Rider, fourth season.

Last year's record: 4-4.

Top returners: Wyatt Geibel, soph; Nathan Wright, Soph.; Jake Patton, Soph.

Outlook: The Warriors are looking to find the right mix to compete for the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference crown.

“We're looking to improve on last year's record. We lost two leaders and are hoping to find new leaders for the ones we lost.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Steve Strelick, third season.

Last year's record: 7-1, 5th in WPIAL.

Top returners: Michael Kolor, Sr.; Grant McCarthy, Sr.; Clay Taylor, Sr.; Trey Razanauskas, Sr.

Outlook: Strelick expects his team to make a run at qualifying for states as a team.

“I think the top three qualify to go to states and if I'm being truthful we could be in the mix to go to states,” Strelick said.

Getting there will require a deep freshmen class to find their footing and build throughout the season. Kolor, who finished fifth at WPIALs last season, is a threat to win the district.

“I think our biggest strength is that we have seven or eight runners that are capable of emerging into the fourth, fifth or sixth role,” Strelick said.

Slippery Rock

Coach: Mike Hilliard, fourth season.

Last year's record: 3-3.

Top returners: Nick Shea, Jr; Robert Taylor, Jr; Zach Wilson, Jr.; George Ackerman, Jr.

Up and coming: Evan Maxwell, Jr.; Wyatt Heyl, Soph.

Outlook: The future of the Rockets program will be on display this season. With no seniors, Hilliard returns a number of juniors who will contribute.

“They have an opportunity to really step up and be the leaders of the team and work toward that adversity that is our big competition,” Hilliard said. “We have some challenges ahead of us. I'm looking forward to this team having the opportunity to face that.”