By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Several mainstays for the Hays High School cross country teams have left the program. Josh Munsch, the winningest runner in school history, finished in the top-six three times at the state meet before he graduated in May and now runs for the University of Kansas. Vincent Bizzell, a state qualifier, graduated, too.

Kylie Gaughan, HHS' No. 1 girls' runner for three years and an all-state performer, is now at Fort Hays State University. Madeline Kasra, all-state the last two falls, moved away. Co-coach Rick Keltner, a staple of the program since the 1990s, stepped aside in the spring. Jerold Harris, the former co-coach with Keltner, steps into the head coaching role with two vastly different teams than last year's veteran squads.

"We are young and we are very inexperienced, especially on the girls' side," Harris said. "Losing Vinny and Josh last year was big because those are two very good leaders. ... This team, they are fun, they are really, really fun. We are just learning how to run. We will learn a lot and we will improve a lot."

Harris has asked Keltner -- who will retain positions of head boys' basketball coach and assistant track coach -- to help with the program. Keltner started the time trial last Saturday. The Indians begin their year Thursday at Great Bend. Start time is 4 p.m.

"I think he wants to shy away a bit and ride off into the sunset and I have no problem with Rick Keltner being around," Harris said. "A great guy, great for the kids, passionate."

"Coach Harris is doing good taking his place," said senior Bailey Zimmerman, the Indians' No. 1 runner on the girls' side.

"But it is definitely different. It was a big shock. I was not expecting that at all."

Senior Seth Tophoj was all-state in cross country and track last year. Tophoj finished seventh in state cross country in 2009 and is expected to be one of the state's top runners this season.

"Basically just take from where I was last year and excel on that," Tophoj said. "I want be down in the 15-minute range by state time and I am really hoping for it. It's hard with Josh not being here to push me."

Senior Eli Fort, a returning state qualifier, will likely be the Indians' No. 2 runner for the second straight year. Junior Dallas Kaiser, senior Danny Mulkey, freshman Kendall Kandt and junior Kevin Arnhold are in the mix, too. Kaiser often put in 30 to 40 miles per week in the summer.

"I had a number of people out bragging on him," Harris said. "Hey, 'I see Dallas Kaiser running.' I can tell by the workouts he is a lot stronger."

Zimmerman battled through arch problems and qualified for four events during the track season. This fall, she is expected to lead a young girls' squad that includes sophomore Kylee Filley, the team's No. 5 runner from 2009, and junior Paige Lunsford. Lunsford, an all-conference basketball and softball player and the Indians' top tennis player in 2009, has impressed in workouts. Lunsford, who missed most of softball season because of a knee injury, ran with a brace the first part of camp, but took it off last week. Sophomore Chelsie Schoendaller and freshman Shelby Matlock could also factor in the varsity lineup.

"We kind of know early that we are going to have some people beat us that I think we can beat later when we get them in shape," Harris said.

"I have been telling people that I really think by October when it really counts, I think we are going to know enough and I think we are going to work hard enough that we are going to try to challenge some people."