Travis Gower will make his debut as Walton's cross country coach as the 2009 season gets under way with the Stage Races on Saturday at the River Green Complex in Duluth.

The Raiders will be joined by six other Cobb County teams - Harrison, Lassiter, Pope, Allatoona, Campbell and South Cobb - among the 36 squads competing in the meet, which features five 2-mile races, or "stages."

The varsity portion of the Stage Races will begin with Stage 1 - featuring the No. 5 runners for each team - at 9:15 a.m., followed by Stage 2 (No. 4 runners) at 9:30 a.m., Stage 3 (No. 3) at 9:45 a.m., Stage 4 (No. 2) at 10 a.m. and Stage 5 for each team's top runners at 10:15 a.m.

The Stage Races will have a state-meet feel to it, with eight of the top 10 boys and girls teams in the state in Class AAAAA from last year competing, including defending girls champion Collins Hill and boys title-holder Peachtree Ridge.

The meet will also mark the beginning of Gower's tenure at the Walton helm after replacing longtime coach Tom Williams, who stepped down to become the cross country and track and field coach at North Georgia.

With Walton coming off a pair of top-10 finishes in last year's state championships - third for the boys and seventh for the girls - the Raiders are among the favorites in the meet in both the boys and girls races.

"We're excited to compete in the Stage Races again this year," Gower said. "This is a unique event that is a full, low-key way to get the racing season started. Being the first race of the season and, for some, their first race ever, we use the stage races to see how our training is going. We hope to get off to a good start, but we know this is just one of many steps as we work towards November."

Kylie Womack, who finished seventh at state last year, will lead the way for the girls team, while Philip Laskey leads the Walton boys.

Harrison is another top contender after coming off a fifth-place finish by its girls team and a sixth-place showing by its boys at the state meet.

Harrison co-coach Kent Simmons said his team is looking forward to competing against the formidable field of teams.

"This year, some of the top teams in the state will be competing, so we will see where we stand compared to them," Simmons said. "It also allows you to look at each spot in your lineup compared to those teams."

Ali Waterson, Kaylee Isaacs, Maria Boff and Marrion Kalalfut are the top runners on a deep and talented Harrison girls team, while Derek Brunson, Nick Cappadona, Dan Ryan and Doug Olson lead the Harrison boys.

Lassiter enters the meet with some uncertainty, with several of its runners ill.

"We have been hit with the recent wave of illness, therefore we are a little unsure of what to expect," Lassiter coach Ed Hutcherson said. "If we are able to place in the top 10, I will be satisfied. Hopefully, those that are healthy will be able to show improvement and perhaps some of our top people will place in the top five individuals."

Christian Erdman will lead the way for the Lassiter boys, while Natalie Bishop leads the Lady Trojans.

Allatoona hopes to take a step forward as it begins its second year of cross country competition.

With the debut of expected Class AAAA state-title contender Henry Stevens-Carty, who sat out a year after transferring from Kennesaw Mountain, and with a group of promising young runners coming, Allatoona coach Dave Ravenscraft is optimistic.

"Stevens-Carty is back and ready. He'll run in the best stage," Allatoona coach Dave Ravenscraft said. "He'll lead some young guys, but we are ready to begin the season. Our girls team is very young and inexperienced, but they do have talent."