The defending team champions Mesa Mountain View (boys) and Pinnacle (girls) and last year's individual champs aren't among the field in the 38th annual Doug Conley Cross Country Invitational set for Oct. 9 at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe. That opens up plenty of opportunity for others.

Twenty-nine schools are entered in this year's meet. The girls varsity race begins at 9:20 a.m. with the boys varsity race following at 10 a.m. 2008 boys champ Jorge Martinez of Alhambra will try to regain the individual title after  finishing second last year to eventual 5A-II state champ Steve Magnuson of Ironwood Ridge. Magnuson graduated last spring. The boys team race figures to be among Highland, Alhambra, Desert Vista, Corona del Sol, Page and Brophy.

With Mesa Mountain View not in the field that deprives the Toros Sarah Schmidt a shot at repeating her 2009 win. Top runners for the girls individual title this year include Tory Haberman and Kristi Rush of Highland, Aeoleone  Bristow of Rio Rico, Rolondo Jumbo of Chinle and Kylee Kieser of Marcos de Niza. HIghland and Desert Vista are among the girls team favorites.