It’s a milestone year for Knoch cross country coach Wess Brahler.

He believes it can be a memorable one, too.

Brahler is entering his 25th season as a head coach in Butler County — 12 years at Moniteau and this is his 13th with the Knights — and hopes a trip to the state meet is on his agenda when the season is ready to close.

“We have a very talented group and it’s going to be a special year at Knoch,” said Brahler. “They’re fun to be around. They’re serious and have a good work ethic. They understand the importance of training and how to train.”

Both Knoch teams return five of their top seven runners from last season. The girls finished third in WPIAL Class AA — punching a ticket to states — and the boys took sixth at WPIALs.

Brahler thinks both can improve upon those finishes in 2013.

“They’re great teammates and friends,” said Brahler. “They’re fun to be around and are very excited with what’s going on. They know what it takes to get to the next level.”

Seneca Valley is the only team with a new coach. Steve Strelick takes over for Jim Nagle after being an assistant last year. He also has experience as an assistant coach at North Allegheny.

“Jim has really helped me,” said Strelick. “It’s been a nice transition.”

The Mars boys team is hoping to reach the state meet again after taking second at WPIALs a season ago and Grove City is another program familiar with states.

The GC boys won the District 10 Class AA title and finished second at states last year, but have some holes to fill. Dan Jaskowak has graduated after earning third at PIAAs in 2012.

“We had four seniors last year that were the core of our team, but we still have a strong core coming back,” said Grove City coach Mike Sample. “We’re not as deep as we were last year, but we have kids stepping up. There’s a lot of inexperience, but the talent is there.

“I wish my fellow coaches the best of luck,” he added. “I hope everyone reaches their goals and dreams this year.”

Following are preview capsules for the Butler County area boys and girls cross country teams. Returning state qualifiers are indicated with an asterisk.

A-C Valley

Coach: Chrissy Hanna, second season

Last year: Losing season

Top returning boys: John Anderson (So.)

Top returning girls: Shannon Quaill (So.), Racheal Viterel (So.)

Coach’s comment: “Last year was a learning experience. The kids have been running on their own this summer and are training a lot differently. Hopefully, we’ll be stronger.”

Butler

Coach: Rick Davanzati, ninth season

Boys

Last year: 4-5 overall, 17th in WPIAL Class AAA

Top returners: Chris Short (Sr.), Jordan Blum (Sr.), Chris Boyd (Jr.), Patrick Fullerton (Jr.), Ethan Linnon (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We’re optimistic, but we lost some key kids. The kids are working hard and as we progress, we’ll see how good they can be. If they jell as the season goes on, we could do relatively well at the WPIAL championships.”

Girls

Last year: 4-5 overall, ninth in WPIAL Class AAA

Top returners: Holly Keefer (Sr.), Makenzie Harris (Jr.), Kelsey Callihan (So.)

Up and coming: Michaela Brydon (Fr.), Lucy Lewis (Fr.), Belle Losch (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “We lost a number of girls from last year’s team, but I can see a lot of improvement for this team moving forward. We’re in the toughest section in the WPIAL and that will make us a better team.”

Freeport

Coach: Bob Livrone, 14th season

Boys

Last year: 5-2, 20th in WPIAL Class AA

Top returners: Colin Meehan (Sr.), Ryan Miller (Jr.), Noah Bowser (So.), Nathan Combs (So.)

Up and coming: Kaleb Bowser (Fr.), Malique Nadzam (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “We want to be in the hunt for the section title and we’re getting ready for that. The kids have been working hard. Colin and Noah have a shot at states. I think they’ll be right there.”

Girls

Last year: 7-0, sixth in WPIAL Class AA

Top returners: Becca Dudek* (Sr.), Hayley Davis (Sr.), Laura Will (Sr.), Haley Redmond (Sr.), Megan Palko (Jr.)

Up and coming: Kim Mixon (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “We’re hoping for a third straight section title. The girls want to make it to states and they have a shot. I’m hoping Becca and Hayley can finish in the top 10 at WPIALs and make it states.”

Grove City

Coach: Mike Sample, 15th season

Boys

Last year: Region 2 champions, District 10 Class AA champions, second in PIAA

Top returners: Ryan Whiteman* (Sr.), Aaron Benka* (Jr.), Ryan Budnik* (Jr.)

Up and coming: Jordan Powell (Sr.), Adam Lowe (Sr.), John Paul Depew (Jr.), Dillon McConnell (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We would like to continue to run well at the district level and be one of the top two teams. We have the talent to place two or three in the top 15. If a couple of other guys rekindle their running careers, we can make another run at a district title, but that remains to be seen.”

Girls

Last year: Region 2 champions, third in District 10 Class AA

Top returners: Mary Jaskowak* (Sr.), Mikayla Wimer (Jr.), Catie Jaskowak* (So.), Olivia Lowe (So.), Hanna Sanford* (So.), Maddie Hamilton (So.)

Up and coming: Tess Semple (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We want to make the top two at districts and go to states. It would be the first time in program history for the girls. We have some inexperience, but I think we have some girls that will help us.”

Karns City

Coach: Colin Gaiser, fourth season

Boys

Last year: 5-4

Top returners: John Garing (Jr.), Grant Curdo (So.), Bryce Ellenberger (So.)

Up and coming: David Olszak (Jr.), Tyler Pollack (Jr.), Conrad Snyder (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We have nine varsity runners and from what I’ve seen in practice, we’ll have a pretty decent team. Some of them are juggling two sports though and I don’t want to wear them out.”

Girls

Last year: 5-4

Top returners: Emily Schumacher* (So.), Emily Jones* (Sr.)

Up and coming: Mariah Helch, Abby Wolfe, Collette Stahlman

Coach’s comment: “These girls want to win the KSAC and I’m cautiously optimistic. Emily Schumacher has the drive. She might will these girls into doing it.”

Knoch

Coach: Wess Brahler, 13th season

Boys

Last year: Sixth in WPIAL Class AA

Top returners: Don Bierhals (Sr.), Preston Carlsson* (Jr.), Paul Kaunic (Jr.) Brandon Grumski* (So.), Nathaniel Pettit (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We want to improve upon our sixth-place finish at WPIALs. We think we’re just as talented as all of those teams. We’d like to win a WPIAL team title and get to states.”

Girls

Last year: Third in WPIAL Class AA, 11th in PIAA

Top returners: Ashlyn Carlsson* (Jr.), Abby Jones* (So.), Mandi Moxie* (So.), Mandy Hunt* (So.), Lauren Karenbauer* (So.)

Up and coming: Rachael Wittmer (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “Our goals are set high. We want to challenge for the WPIAL team title, get to states and improve upon our finish there.”

Mars

Coach: Dale Boring, second season

Boys

Last year: Second in WPIAL Class AA, 15th in PIAA

Graduated state qualifier: Scott Slaney

Top returners: Frankie Petrini* (Sr.), Gage Zimmerman* (Sr.), Brendan Knox* (Jr.), Zach Hunkele* (Jr.), Nathan Mrdjenovich* (So.)

Boys outlook: “We want a shot at winning the WPIAL championship. That’s the goal.”

Girls

Last year: Seventh in WPIAL Class AA

Top returners: Amanda Alikhani (Sr.), Shannon McChesney (Jr.), Jessica Monberg (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We fell a little short of where we should’ve been last year. We want to make the state meet. We’ll try to finish as high as we can at WPIALs and states.”

Moniteau

Coach: Greg Rider, second season

Boys

Last year: Boys 6-3, fifth in District 9 Class AA

Top returners: Jake Taciuch (Sr.), Zach Morgan (Sr.), Austin Stoops (Jr.), Jake Fullerton (Jr.)

Coach’s comment: “We want to get more experience, build toward next year and be competitive this year, as well.”

Girls

Last year: 6-3, 10th in District 9 Class A

Top returners: Emily Rider (Sr.), Rachel Fleeger (Sr.), Kristin McDeavitt (Sr.), Allison DeMatteis (So.)

Coach’s comment: “We have a good, solid core returning for the girls team. There’s a mix of experience and new ones coming. Hopefully, we can compete.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Steve Strelick, first season

Boys

Last year: 13th in WPIAL Class AAA

Top returners: Brett Foster (Sr.), Alex Taylor (Sr.), Tommy Abramson (Sr.), Anthony Wunchell (Sr.), Kyle Morgan (Sr.), Sean Reiterman (Sr.), Ben Gardner (Sr.)

Up and coming: Tanner Quiggle (Jr.), Michael Kolor (So.)

Coach’s comment: “I think we have more depth than in past years and we can improve upon our finish at WPIALs. Brett Foster was close to making states last year and we hope he will get there this year.”

Girls

Last year: Sixth in WPIAL Class AAA

Top returners: Angela Mignanelli (Sr.), Maria Lecce (Sr.), Katie Lutz (Jr.), Maty Zeckzer (Jr.), Emma Sledge (So.), Lauren Sauer* (So.)

Up and coming: Rachel Hensler (Fr.), Isabelle Biase (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “For most of the girls, it was their first time running at WPIALs last year. We only lost one out of our top seven from last year and we have a strong freshman class.”

Slippery Rock

Boys

Coach: Mike Hilliard, fifth season

Last year: 1-5 overall

Top returners: Andrew Maxwell* (Jr.), Will Henry (Jr.), P.J. Courson (Sr.)

Coach’s comment: “We have a huge freshmen crop this year and we’re at about 20 runners right now, so we’re in good shape for a better season.”

Girls

Coach: Jessica Schoeffel, fifth season

Last year: 1-5 overall

Top returners: Lauren Dietz (Sr.), Becca Novak (Sr.), Kelsey Brenblinger (Sr.), Rebecca Masterson (Sr.)

Up and coming: Tabitha Donaldson (Fr.), Quinn Burkhart (Fr.), Megan Gresgott (So.), Brooke Schaefers (Fr.)

Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of girls this year and it’s done a lot of good things for our team. We have some seniors and some very talented freshmen. It’s a nice mix. The times are much faster than at this point last year and the girls are pushing each other and encouraging each other.”

Union

Coach: Terry McCullough, fourth season

Last year: Not enough runners to qualify as team

Top returning boys: Beau Rankin (Sr.), Jordan Krear (Jr.)

Top returning girls: Shannon Roberts (Sr.), Tabby Dietz (Jr.)

Outlook: “I’m hoping they can improve on their times and have a high finish at districts. We want to improve endurance and overall performance from last year.”