ADAMS TWP — Shannon McChesney came down from her excitement of helping Mars win the Class AA WPIAL cross country championship quickly.

Repeating was going to take a lot more work.

When the district announced realignment, the Planets missed the cutoff for AA by two girls and will compete in AAA this season.

“It was a shock to us at first,” McChesney said. “We didn't know how to handle it after the high of being WPIAL champs. We decided to not let that drag us down. ... We cranked up the mileage and hard runs.”

Practices and off-season training became more competitive.

During a humid practice last Friday, senior Sydney Cole said Mars made it into a game.

They wanted to beat their previous best. They did, by 2 minutes.

“It's great to have the competition,” Cole said. “When you're out there by yourself, you might not push yourself. You'd give up.”

Mars benefits from returning its top seven runners. There are also some younger girls coach Larry Young thinks can push that group.

Seniors Reilly Butler, Lauren Jaeger and Morgan Jaeger will return along with junior Liz Smialek.

Sophomores Natalie Petrini, Lindsey Brand, Emma Gentile and Taylor Hockenberry will also be expected to contribute.

Petrini was Mars' top finisher at WPIALs last year, placing eighth.

Cole and McChesney finished 10th and 11th, respectively.

“We're looking forward to the competition because last year we had our top 7 and we didn't lose any girls over top 7,” Cole said. “We pumped up training over summer and preseason. I'm excited to see how we compete.”

McChesney feels any shock has worn off and the Planets are ready to embrace the next challenge.

“If we keep training like we have, physically we will be there,” McChesney said. “We need to realize that we deserved to be in (Class) AAA.”

Here's a look at what the other Butler County area boys and girls cross country teams will be returning this season:

A-C ValleyCoach: Chrissy Hanna, third season.Last year's record: 1-4.Top returner: John Anderson (Jr.).Up and coming: Tom Amsler (Jr.)Hanna says: “Amsler should be able to push Anderson for the top spot.”ButlerCoach: Rick Davanzati, 10th season.Last year's record: 3-6.Top returners: Chris Boyd (Sr.), Patrick Fullerton (Sr.), Adam Knauer (Sr.), Ethan Minnon (Jr.), Chad Pakozdi (Soph.).Up and coming: Josh Rader (Sr.), Evan Knauer (Sr.), Noah Beveridge (Fr.).Davanzati says: “They are going to be improved. ...I think they are improved on what they were last year based on the kids that are coming out this year.”Cardinal Wuerl North CatholicCoach: Stacy Kopchak, first year.Last season: N/AUp and coming (boys): Jonathan Dunham, Matthew Esser, Joey Schmitzer, Christopher Virostek.Up and coming (girls): Jessica Cannon, Brooke Carmazzi, Rylee Kopchak, Sophia Muller,Olivia Newcamp.Outlook: The Trojans' cross country program is restarting this year as a co-ed program. Kopchak's team is made up primarily of freshmen.“The kids have been practicing hard,” Kopchak said. “We have about five kids for the boys and girls, but I've gotten more calls for the team as people hear about the program.”FreeportCoach: Bob Livrone, 17th seasonLast year's record: 5-2.Top returners: Ryan Miller (Sr.), Noah Bowser (Jr.), Nathan McCombs (Jr.), Tyler Ben (Jr.), Caleb Bowser (So.).Up and coming: Johnathan Asay (Fr.), Alec Parker (Fr.), Dean Cyphert (Fr.).Livrone says: “We only had one senior last year. We have a good group returning plus a good group. The boys have a good outlook. I think we'll be competitive in the section.”Grove CityCoach: Mike Sample, 16th season.Last season's record: 6-0, District 10 champs.Top returners: Aaron Benka (Sr.), Ryan Budnik (Sr.), John-Paul Depew (Sr.), Dylan McConnell (Jr.).Up and coming: Jacob Hughes (Soph.), Jacob Powell (Soph.), Elijah Depew (Soph.)Sample says: “On paper, we're looking very strong for districts. At least in a couple articles read, dark horse for the state meet. They've certainly taken the challenges of training seriously, putting in more mileage and mixing it up than they have in the past.”Karns CityCoach: Colin Gaiser, fifth seasonLast year's record: 5-4.Top returners: John Garing (Sr.), Bryce Ellenberger (Jr.), Grant Curdo (Jr.), Tim Sigworth (So.), Conrad Snyder (So.), Ian McElroy (So.)Up and coming: Eli Cowoski (Fr.), Alec Weber (Fr.).Gaiser says: “We can still field a team and be respectable when they aren't there. We have about five guys on the soccer team. With them there, we will be a decent team.”KnochCoach: Wess Brahler, 13th season.Last year's record: 6-5.Top returners: Preston Carlsson (Sr.), Paul Kasunic (Sr.), Andy Kingan (Sr.) Brandon Grumski (Jr.), Nathaniel Pettit (Jr.), Matt Mellish (Jr.), John Ejzak (So.), Aiden Neigh (So.).Up and coming: Max Freyermuth (So.).Brashler says: “These guys are ready. They want to go after this. Missing (states) by six points is something that's lingered with these guys all offseason.”MarsCoach: Larry Young, first season.Last year's record: Not available.Top returners: Brendan Knox (Sr.), Nate Mrdjenovich (Jr.), Zach Hunkele (Sr.), Jake Porter (Jr.), Kevin Monteleone (Jr.).Up and coming: Connor Amsler (Fr.), Caleb Keys (Fr.)Young says: “We have a strong 1-2 in Brendan and Nate. We lost three seniors from last year's team. But we have capable guys that can fit in and I don't think we'll miss a beat.”MoniteauCoach: Greg Rider, third season.Last year's record: 5-3.Top returners: Austin Stoops (Sr.), Jake Fullerton (Sr.).Up and coming: Wyatt Geibel (Fr.).Rider says: “We're really young. It's too early to tell how we'll do, but we have a good group. I hope they can build on it as the year goes on.”Seneca ValleyCoach: Steve Strelick, second yearLast year's record: 4-4Top returners: Tanner Quiggle (Sr.), Mike Kolor (Jr.).Up and coming: Mike Garczynski (Sr.), Andrew Kearney (Sr.), Trey Razanauskas (Jr.), Joey Sloan (Jr.), Grant McCarthey (Jr.), Clay Taylor (Jr.).Strelick says: “We have a lot of first-year guys with a variety of different ages. It takes a little bit to get the nuances of the sport.”Slippery RockCoach: Mike Hilliard, sixth season.Last year's record: 3-3.Top returners: Andrew Maxwell (Sr.), Will Henry (Sr.).Up and coming: Nick Shea (So.), Wyatt Heyl (Fr.).Hilliard says: “We're at a point where we have a larger freshmen group that's under the leadership of our seniors. We expect to be competitive this year.”

A-C ValleyCoach: Chrissy Hanna, third season.Last year's record: 1-6.Top returner: Shannon Quail (Jr.)Up and coming: Lauren McNany (Jr.)Hanna says: “This is the first time we've carried three teams,” Hanna said. “I have 19 kids in the program and I think in a few years we could be a powerhouse.”ButlerCoach: Rick Davanzati, 10th season.Last year's record: 1-8Top returners: Kelsee Callihan (Jr.), Kylie Sheppeck (Jr.), Michaela Brydon (Soph.), Lucy Lewis (Soph.), Belle Losch (Soph.), Destinee Amerson (Soph.).Up and coming: Cierra Lawrence (Sr.), Maggie Welty (Fr.), Erin LeMay (Fr.), Emma LeMay (Fr.).Davanzati says: “I think it's (Butler's outlook) pretty bright. Overall in terms of the team I think they'll run faster than what they ran last year.”FreeportCoach: Bob Livrone, 17th season.Last year's record: 6-1.Top returners: Megan Palko (Sr.), Natalie Dell (Jr.), Jade Clinton (So.), Katie Hill (So.), Kim Mixon (So.).Up and coming: Allyssa Trask (So.).Livrone says: “The girls are probably in rebuilding mode. We lost six pretty good runners over the past two years. I think we're in rebuilding mode. I think we'll be OK, kids working hard and are good competitors with lots of experience.”Grove CityCoach: Mike Sample, 16th season.Last season's record: 5-1.Top returners: Mikayla Wimer (Sr.), Catie Jaskowak (Jr.), Olivia Lowe (Jr.), Maddie Hamilton (Jr.), Tess Semple (Jr.).Up and coming: Michaela Schmidt (So.), Kelly McCrea (So.).Sample says: “We have a legit shot of being one of the top two teams in the district. Villa Marie is way out in front of everyone.”Karns CityCoach: Colin Gaiser, fifth seasonLast year's record: 5-4.Top returners: none.Up and coming: Rebecca Pennington (Fr.), Katelyn Fleeger (Fr.), Ashlyn Hilderbrand (Fr.), Kaila Hildebrand (Fr.), Sam Grazioli (Fr.).Gaiser says: “We're optimistic for the future. They are going to hold their own, but running against older girls is going to be a learning experience. They are going from running 1.8-2 miles to 3.1. We're looking to build for the future.”KnochCoach: Wess Brahler, 13th season.Last year's record: 5-6.Top returners: Ashlyn Carlsson (Sr.), Mandi Moxie (Jr.), Abby Jones (Jr.), Lauren Karenbauer (Jr.), Mandy Hunt (Jr.), Rachel Wittmer (So.).Up and Coming: Jenna Shelton (Sr.), Maya Wirtz (Fr.), Elizabeth Butler (Sr.).Brahler says: “We want to challenge for the WPIAL team title and qualify for states as a team. We feel that's realistic and within our ability.”MoniteauCoach: Greg Rider, third season.Last year's record: 7-1.Top returners: Samantha Hall (So.), Allison Dematteis (Jr.), Chloe Wallace (Jr.), Mercedes Wallace (So.).Rider says: “We're still a young team and hope to be able to get them where they are able to compete. We lost some key leadership and we're hoping to fill that void in the team leadership role.”Seneca ValleyCoach: Steve Strelick, second yearLast year's record: 8-0Top returners: Maty Zeckzer (Sr.), Katie Lutz (Sr.), Mariah Mack (Jr.), Isabella Biase (So.), Emma Sledge (Jr.), Lauren Sauer (Jr.), Rachel Hensler (So.).Up and coming: Julia Kooser (So.).Strelick says: “We're in the mix. ...The girls that finished in the top three at WPIALs, it was their first year running. That experience helps from a coaching standpoint.”Slippery RockCoach: Jessica Schoeffel, sixth seasonLast year's record: not available.Top returners: Darian Yates (Jr.), Becky Anna (Jr.), Tabitha Donaldson (So.), Quinn Burkhart (So.), Brooke Schaefers (So.).Up and coming: Hannah Lindey (Fr.), Adeline Burkes (Fr.), Breanna Walters (Fr.).Schoeffel says: “We're very young, but have a lot of potential. Tabitha is healthy and girls have to work to stay with her. We should be competitive with other teams in the region.”<I>Information from Union was unavailable.</I>