SLIPPERY ROCK — Tabitha Donaldson decided to give cross country a try after being persuaded by Slippery Rock High School coach Jessica Schoeffel.

She stayed with the sports because the ends justified the means.

“I like it because it's individual in what you put into it, you get out of it,” Donaldson said.

What came out of it for the Slippery Rock junior last season was a berth at the state meet. All-around, Donaldson had a solid sophomore year, also qualifying for state swimming in the 50 freestyle.

It was a nice bounce-back season after never feeling quite right as a sophomore.

Nagging injuries kept Donaldson from getting where she wanted to go.

“My shins were tight,” Donaldson said. “It wasn't shin splints, they were sore. I had tendinitis in my ankle, it just popped up.”

Typically, Donaldson doesn't have issues switching between sports. She doesn't swim much during cross country season. The toughest transition comes in the spring.

“Going from running to swimming, I don't have any problems,” Donaldson said. “When I go from swimming to track, my shins start acting up.”

Donaldson wants to raise the stakes for this year.

“I definitely want to medal,” Donaldson said. “I know that's really hard. But it gives me something to work harder for during practice.”

Here's what the rest of Butler County is returning this season:

A-C Valley

Coach: Chrissy Hanna, second season.

Last year's record: N/A.

Top returners: Shannon Quayle, Sr.; Lauren McNanny, Sr.

Outlook: A-C Valley had an infusion of young runners into the system this year and hopes to make a push.

“My varsity girls look good this year,” Hanna said. “We're hoping to pull out some good wins with the number of girls I have.”

Butler

Coach: Rick Davanzati, 11th season.

Last year's record: 5-3.

Top returners: Kelsee Callihan, Sr.; Michaela Brydon, Jr.; Belle Losch, Jr.; Lucy Lewis, Jr.; Erin LeMay, Soph.; Emma LeMay, Soph.; Maggie Welty, Soph.

Up and coming: Carly Bauer, Soph.

Outlook: Davanzati brings back his top seven runners in what should be a loaded section with North Allegheny and Seneca valley. With the Golden Tornado's depth, Davanzati is optimistic for this season.

“It bodes well for us, as long as we can stay healthy,” Davanzati said. “Overall, our section seems to dominate. As a result, I'm hoping the girls can go at least 5-3. We have a lot of talent again, it's going to be a roll of the dice.”

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic

Coach: Stacy Kopchak, second season.

Last year's record: N/A.

Top returners: Rylee Kopchak, Soph.; Jessica Cannon, Soph.; Brooke Carmazzi, Soph.

Up and coming: Cassie Wililams, Sr.

Outlook: Rylee Kopchak qualified for states last year, giving the first-year program a bump in confidence. Her mom, Stacy, is hoping for more progress this year.

“We've been training hard down at North Park,” Kopchak said. “We've been trying to get more miles, strength and speed workouts in.”

Freeport

Coach: Bob Livrone, 18th season.

Last year's record: 5-3.

Top returners: Natalie Dell, Sr.; Katie Hill, Sr.; Jade Clinton, Jr.

Up and coming: Lurena Stewart, Freshman; Ariana Clark, Freshman.

Outlook: Livrone thinks the Yellowjackets will be rebuilding this season. That doesn't mean he doesn't think they could make waves.

“I think they'll still be at competitive,” Livrone said. “They are working hard and give it their best shot.”

Grove City

Coach: Mike Sample, 17th year.

Last year's record: 6-0, District 10 3rd.

Top returners: Catie Jaskowak, Sr.; Maddie Hamilton, Sr.; Olivia Lowe, Sr.; Hannah Sanford, Sr.;

Up and coming: Kelly Somora, Soph.; McKayla Schmidt, Soph.

Outlook: The Eagles were only a few paces behind Hickory for second place in District 10 this season.

Sample hopes this senior-heavy group will take advantage of having one last shot at going to states as a team.

“Given we have five seniors that are all running varsity or near varsity, you either qualify for states or bust this year, I guess,” Sample said. “We've had many opportunities to get to states with these girls and haven't been able to do it yet.”

Karns City

Coach: Colin Gaiser, sixth season.

Last year's record: 4-5.

Top returners: Rebecca Pennington, Soph; Ashlyn Hildebrand, Soph.; Kaila Hildebrand, Soph.; Kaitlyn Fleeger, Soph; Olivia Mourer, Soph.; Isabella Sanner, Soph.; Emily Maurer, Freshman.

Outlook: Gaiser looks to see more growth from a young Gremlins' squad.

“They've been running together for four years,” Gaiser said. “They stick together pretty well. I'm guardedly optimistic.”

Knoch

Coach: Wess Brahler, 14th season.

Last year's record: WPIAL runner-up, 11th place PIAA.

Top returners: Mandi Moxie, Sr.; Lauren Karenbauer, Sr.; Abby Jones, Sr.; Rachel Wittmer, Jr.; Maya Wertz, Soph.

Up and coming: Hannah Carney, Jr; Choe Ciora, Soph.

Outlook: Knoch is looking to follow up a strong season by making the playoffs for the third time in the last four years. Once they get there, the Knights can think bigger.

“We were WPIAL runners-up and 11th in the state last season and we'd like to keep that ship rolling,” Brahler said.

Moxie, who is a three-time state qualifier, will play a big role for Knoch.

“Mandi Moxie had a great summer,” Brahler said. “She got her mileage up as well, she looks strong and is fit.”

Mars

Coach: Joelle Patterson, first season.

Last year's record: N/A.

Top returners: Hannah Kemper, Sr.; Natalie Petrini, Jr.; Emma Gentile, Jr; Liz Smialek, Jr.; Taylor Hockenberry, Jr.; Lindsey Brand, Jr.

Up and coming: McKenzie Hutchison, Soph; Camille Bromley, Fresh.

Outlook: Bumping up to Class AAA was a new challenge for the Planets last season.

Losing nine seniors from an experienced group will make this season's challenge tougher. Patterson hopes this group will grow together and make a run at the top 10 in the WPIAL by season's end.

“It's a rebuilding year,” Patterson said. “We're just trying to get a lot of miles and try to get a good base so they can build for next year. We have a lot of good runners in the eighth grade class.”

Moniteau

Coach: Greg Rider, fourth season.

Last year's record: 7-1.

Top returners: Chloe Wallace, Sr.; Allison DeMatteis, Sr.; Sam Hall, Jr.; Gabby Stewart Jr.; Mercedes Wallace, Jr.

Outlook: “It's going to be a tough league. Hopefully, we can equal or better our record. We lost two seniors, but have everybody returning, so hopefully we stay healthy and with the experience we have can pull through this year.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Steve Strelick, third season.

Last year's record: 7-1, WPIAL champions.

Top returners: Mariah Mack, Sr.; Isabella Biase, Jr.; Rachel Hensler, Jr. ; Julia Kooser, Jr;

Outlook: Strelick thinks his top four returners, with the mix of younger girls coming in, give the defending WPIAL champion Raiders a solid team.

“(The top four) have set a high standard of what it means to be a varsity runner on this team,” Strelick said. “I can tell you a lot of underclassmen have seen what they've done and stepped it up this summer and did more than they thought they could do.”

Slippery Rock

Coach: Jessica Schoeffel, seventh year.

Last year's record: .500.

Top returners: Darienne Yates, Sr.; Becky Anna, Sr.; Tabitha Donaldson, Jr.; Brooke Schaefers, Jr.; Quinn Burkhart, Jr.; Adeline Birkes, Soph.; Hannah Lindy, Soph.; Breanna Walters, Soph.

Up and coming: Charlee Caldwell, freshman; Hattie Braffeur, freshman; Paige Martin, freshman.