Coach Jeff Jacobson’s cross country cupboard is well stocked as he prepares to lead Enumclaw into another season of competition.

The veteran coach isn’t dealing with the big crowd he’s had lately – the  turnout numbers in the 40s rather than the 60s – but there’s plenty of experience at the top of both the boys and girls squads.

The boys team has a wealth of veteran runners, headed by Cory Johnson, a senior who qualified for the state 3A meet a season ago. Other returnees with varsity experience include Alec Rhome, Peter Berger, Kevin Nelson, Dylan Hamel and Chase Olson.

The girls’ side is loaded with returning talent as well. Chandler Weiman was a state qualifier a season ago and she’s joined by a handful of others who ran with the varsity – Chelsea Weiman, Lindsay Ross, Taryn Schreiner and Peyton Vick.

The early part of the season includes a couple of tests that will show the Hornets how they stack up. On Sept. 14 the team will trek to the New Balance Festival of Champions in Oregon City, Ore., and on Sept. 24 the squad will make its annual trip to the Three-Course Challenge near Seaside, Ore. Before that, the EHS runners will travel Thursday for the annual Turtle Soup Relays in Bellevue.