It takes more than a classification change to slow down the King’s cross country team.

Regarded for years as one of the state’s elite Class 1A programs, the Knights have high expectations for their debut season at the 2A level.

The King’s girls are poised to extend their run of three straight state championships and the boys should be in contention for a fifth state title in six seasons. Both groups graduated just one varsity runner.

“All our returning girls are even better than last year and we’ve got some freshmen who are running right with them,” King’s coach Rod Wilcox said.

Four seniors make up the heart of the girls ladder. Melody Miles, Heidi Kieling and Laura Coghlan each finished in the top 20 at last year’s state meet and Heidi Peterson was 33rd.

With five other letterwinners returning and an influx of talented freshmen led by Lauren Thompson, the remaining three positions could fluctuate.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Wilcox said. “There are about six girls in the hunt for those spots.”

The competition is just as intense for a boys squad that saw its streak of four consecutive state titles come to an end with a second-place showing in 2003.

Brent Woodham and Alex Croutworst placed 15th and 16th at state last year and the seniors have started to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Sophomore twins Jeff and Evan Dull and seniors Bryan Kotjan and Brian Pflugrath have also locked up their spots, leaving one opening that Wilcox expects will be filled by senior Jeff Ayers or freshman Austin Dean.

In the first Class 2A coaches poll of 2004 the King’s girls were ranked second behind defending state champion East Valley of Yakima. The King’s boys were picked fourth.

“We know the competition is going to be tougher,” Wilcox said. “The quality of the first few runners is about the same for 2A and 1A teams. But the depth of the 2A teams is a lot better.”