If you are a Hutchinson Community College cross country runner, August 31 cannot get here soon enough.

That magical date is the day of the Blue Dragons’ first meet of 2013 – the KU Invitational at Rim Rock Farm.

The anticipation for the new season isn’t just enveloping the athletes. Second-year head coach Rod Zook is ready to see what grows from the seeds planted in 2012.

When practice opened this week, Zook welcomed one of the largest overall teams in terms of numbers in HCC cross country history.

On Friday at HCC’s home course, the Weststar/Prairie Ridge Cross Country Course, Zook ran a time trial to see exactly where his group is.

Looking back to 2012, the HCC men were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation last season and finished a somewhat disappointing sixth in a strong Region VI Meet last season.

The Lady Dragons cracked the national rankings, getting as high as 16th and finished and solid sixth at Region VI.

Both 2012 teams were carried by freshmen.

The guys have Orbelin Rojas and John Murphy III returning this season. Rojas was an all-Region VI runner last season, finishing ninth in that meet and 54th at nationals, a meet where he was sick. Murphy placed 23rd at regionals and 117th at nationals.

The 2012 HCC women were led by two runners who both broke 20 minutes for the first time since the national championship season of 2001.

Ashlyn Lambert broke 20 minutes three times last season and earned all-region and all-conference honors with a 12th- place regional finish. Lambert was 47th at the NJCAA Championships.

Cecilia Lane placed 15th at regionals and 76th at the NJCAA Championships.

Zook was extremely happy with his recruiting class for both teams. Now as workouts continue, the anticipation builds for that August 31 meet in Lawrence.

The Westar/Prairie Ridge Course will be the center of the Region VI cross country world this season.

The Blue Dragons will play host to the Romp at the Ridge on Sept. 14. Hutchinson will also play host to the 2013 Region VI Cross Country Championships on Monday, August 28.

(HCC Sports Information)