Competing against Basehor-Linwood, Lansing and Kansas City Christian, the Chieftains should be strong at their home meet. Tonganoxie High School coach Phil Williams said the boys should win the season opener, while the girls’ side will be pretty balanced on Thursday.

“Individually, Basehor and Lansing have some great runners,” Williams said about the boys’ teams. “They’re not as strong team-wise.”

Kansas City Christian, meanwhile, took fourth in last year’s Class 2-1A state meet.

For the girls, Williams didn’t see a clear-cut favorite.

Lansing’s squad might be a partial Lion team.