DAPHNE — The Bayside cross country teams have been logging the summer miles on and off the roads as the season draws close.

Head coach Alan Foster said his boys and girls teams are eager to compete. The girls have a good mix of experience and youth as they set sail this fall.

"We look forward to another competitive season here at Bayside Academy," he said. "Our Girls team is led by three super seniors, Crawford Hodgson, Maggie Claunch and Madison Herring. We depend on their leadership this year."

The Lady Admirals will also look to another strong year from returning state 3A medalist Charlotte Gill, who had a great freshman season finishing in the top five at the 3A state championship at Moulton last November.

"Charlotte returns for her sophomore season after finishing in the top 5 at last year's state meet in the 2 mile and 1 mile events," Foster said. "Izzy Harrison, Iris Harrison, Georgia Robles and Morgan Wright round out our returning runners. Newcomers Katie Dowd, Gigi Pate, Alex Brown, Dorothy Walton and Alona Melendez could also make an impact this season."

As a team, the Admirals are looking to refuel after back-to-back top-three cross-country finishes in '07 and '08 as they transitioned from the 2A to the 3A division. Foster said the younger runners have great 'feats' to follow, but also have two solid veterans to help lead the way.

"Our boys team is in a 'rebuilding phase' after winning the state title in 2007 and finishing 3rd last year, we are developing a number of younger runners. Our Senior leaders are Matt Stinebaugh and Stew Shoemaker. Matt has shown steady improvement every week this summer and should give us a big boost come November's state meet. Stew Shoemaker is one of the better runners in the state."

Shoemaker finished his junior track season with three 3A state titles in the 3200, 1600 and the 800.

"Spencer York, Joe Vincent, Baylor Tatum, Karim Tarabein, Austin Watts, Jonathan Hamilton, Emil Kasmia and Scott Marine return and look to fill the other scoring positions this season." Foster said.

Bayside starts the 2009 season Sept. 12 at the Challenge of Champions meet at Langon (Mobile Municipal) Park in Mobile.