Coming off a disappointing ninth place finish in Central Coast Selection last year, the Palo Alto High School boys’ cross country team hopes to crown a champion this year, starting with its first meet at 3 p.m. today at Gunn High School.

Last year the team was not at full health, with hip injuries to top runners senior Lucas Matison and sophomore Kent Slaney. This year, coach Kelsey Feeley says she expects the team will have a chance at competing for the state championship.

“Lucas Matison won a league meet with a time that would’ve won CCS and had an accident, and therefore was not able to run at CCS,” Feeley said. “Our other breakout star Kent Slaney was also injured but still ran for CCS.”

Last season the team had no seniors at CCS, two juniors, and the rest sophomores and freshmen. Because many top runners are returning, and not very many graduated or left, the team is optimistic that this year will be more successful according to senior captain Andrew Wilson.

“For the team, states would be really cool because we have a lot of talent,” Wilson said.

Paly squares off against Gunn for its first match tomorrow, and Feeley wants to use the opportunity to evaluate the runners.

“I really want to get a sense of the fitness levels of the runners,” Feeley said. “I want to use it as a time trial and solidify the top seven runners.”

Boys’ cross Country will compete at 3 p.m. today at Gunn High School.