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Anyone would feel good about their chances to compete for a league title when you have 31 letterwinners returning from the previous season.

East enters the 2008 campaign loaded with experience, as Machesney will look to his strong senior class to provide leadership to his teams as they look to compete for the Metro League title in what the coach calls a tough conference.

"We have some real depth in experience," Machesney said. "We have a great attitude and a large number of runners this year. Both teams will be looking to improve their overall record in the competitive Metro League.

"Hopefully we can earn even more medals and trophies than last year."

That might just be possible in 2008, and Machesney knows that the success his team hopes to have rests squarely on the shoulders of his returning seniors. For the boys team, Machesney noted the return of Jeff Baeckeroot, Bryan Bush, Cody Coulter, Zach Kirby, Camden Maresh, Sam Kaczmarek and Josh Mazur-Batistoni. All were touted by Machsney as potential leaders for the boys team.

For the girls, Machesney will be looking to sophomore Ariana Donahue to improve upon her 2nd Team All-Metro performance of a year ago. Other returning runners for the girls team are Jamie Caminiti, Amanda Colosky, Emily Davis, Hillary Davin, Angela Diehle and Ashlee Eisinger.

Both squads were seventh last year in the Flint Metro League, with the boys posting a league record of 3-5 while the girls finished the season at 2-6. Machesney made to sure to state that in order for his teams to make a reasonable run at a Metro title, that the newcomers would have to perform right alongside the runners that he has returning.

"It is great to have some younger runners able to step right in," Machesney said. "They have been able to come in and replace our huge group of senior runners.

"They all have a strong work ethic and a positive attitude."

Among the newcomers to the Lapeer East cross country team this year that Machesney expects big things from are Daniel Gildner, Lucas Bonesteel, Brandon Turcott, Allysa Batistoni, Dana McIntyre, Felicia Jostock and Alahnna Linton.

As for his season outlook, Machesney sounded as if he expects his team to not only make a good showing in the county, but also to improve upon last year's records and individual achievements.

"The teams will compete this year in invitationals," Machesney said. "The boys were runners-up last year at the Bad Axe Invite. They won the Fox-n-Hound meet at Almont, and they were Lapeer County champs. We want to improve our league record.

"We hope to be competitive in the County this year."

Andrew Selich is Sports Editor at The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811 ext. 8124 or andrew.selich@lapeergroup.com.