It will be a bit of a new look team for the Canton Warriors as they say good-bye to state medalist Lawrence Halbfoerster, but hello to a girls team for the first time in two years.

"I'm so excited," Manual Halbfoerster said. "I've been waiting for this all summer."

Halbfoerster teams with Landon Lake to form a tough 1-2 punch as the Warriors remake the team.

"It's awesome having Landon and Manny back, I've been coaching them in cross-country and track since they were in seventh grade," Canton coach Casey Aylesworth said. "They understand our different concepts of training, and it allows them to be leaders on the team. They both had success last year, and I have no doubt they are looking to build off of last cross country and track season. Landon was a state qualifier last year during cross-country, and Manny just missed out, so they tasted success and know what it takes to get to the end goal (states)."

Halbfoerster missed the cut-off by 30 seconds last year, and learned a lesson from the performance.

"There's nothing I can really do about that," he said. "Just better eating because I didn't each at all before the race, and I stumbled because of it. It's a bit of a learning curve and this year it's not going to happen again."

Halbfoerster has been doing some weightlifting this summer, and a little bit lower mileage.

"I've been just building my strength and speed over the summer, and I think it's going to help me a lot throughout the season," he said.

Halbfoerster had a good track season, and feels that momentum going into this fall.

"I think that really boosted my momentum into the summer, and it just really got me from training every day and keeping it consistent throughout the summer," he said.

Lake comes in with some higher expectations after finishing sixth in the District IV Championships last year to take the final state qualifying spot.

"I'm a little nervous," he said. "I have some big expectations from my parents and friends. I want to go back this year, and knowing that this is my senior year its my last chance."

Making states gave Lake more confidence going into this season.

"I did pretty well for a race that big," Lake said. "I think I came out of that with more confidence."

Lake's been running with everybody - Manny, his dad, and even on his own - to prepare for the season.

"I've been lifting and other things to just keep myself active this summer," he said. 

Lake is hoping to get into the 17's this year, and even break into the 16's.

"I'm pretty nervous about it, but I think if I can stick with it, I can hit my goal," he said.

They'll be joined by Tommy Preston, Kobi Hoover, and Ryan Inman to round out their team.

"Our numbers are small, but we have three new runners on the team that will make an impact," said Aylesworth. "Tommy Preston will be doing double time with Golf and XC, and he looks good, and I am happy he's doing double duty. Two other runners are Kobi Hoover and Ryan Inman, they are completely new to running track or cross-country, however they've done a great job at practices so far. All three guys, it wouldn't shock me to see huge increases in times throughout the season. It's my job to try to keep them healthy and try to peak at the end of the season, but they need to learn how to race over the next two months."

They'll be joined by two freshman girls in Elizabeth Halbfoerster and Sarina Hess.

"It's great to have a couple girls on the varsity teams, we are hoping we can pick up a couple more, Elizabeth Halbfoerster and Sarina Hess have been in the junior high ranks for the past couple years, and I knew when they were in seventh grade, that they would transition to high school country pretty well," said Aylesworth. "It's still a jump from the junior high race to the Varsity race with the difference with intensity and effort. Both of them have seen solid success at the junior high level, and our goal is to keep them healthy and improving over the next four years."

ROSTER

BOYS

Manual Halbfoerster

Landon Lake

Tommy Preston

Kobi Hoover

Ryan Inman

GIRLS

Elizabeth Halbfoerster

Sarina Hess

SCHEDULE

Sep. 1 at Athens w/Troy, Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 8 at NEB, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 vs Sullivan County, Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 22 at CV w/Sayre, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 29 vs Wyalusing, NPM, 4:30 p.m.