POULSBO — Kathleen Ramsey was in the middle of a 1,600-meter track race in 2011 when her shoe came untied.

Not wanting to stop, the North Kitsap High School runner flexed her foot to keep the spike on. As it turns out, it was too much stress on her foot.

The freshman got a stress fracture. It kept her from competing last season. But she’s back.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m pumped now that I actually get to run with the team.”

The team she is referring to is the 2012 North Kitsap cross country team.

Along with Ramsey, there are plenty of runners for both boys and girls teams. Those runners include 2011 State competitors from the girls team, which took eighth place out of 16 teams last season. State runners on the 2011 team included: Reagan Colyer, Clara Lund, Olivia Krol, Mikhaela Woodward, Katrina Weinmann, Sarah Zimmerman, and Kristina Reid.

Colyer took second at State, finished in 18 minutes 19 seconds. She was 2 seconds behind Sehome’s Emily Pittis.

The North Kitsap cross country team lost very few from last season to this. There are a few spots to fill on the boys team, but for the most part the teams are in good shape, Colyer said.

Kingston boys seeking State after being denied in 2011

With many strong runners returning to the girls team at North Kitsap, it could be the Kingston boys team that really shines.

The 2011 boys team narrowly missed its opportunity for a State appearance. This season, coach Karla Manuguid said, the boys will seek their shot at a state title. (Karla’s last name changed with her marriage to Olympic High School football defense coordinator James Manuguid. She was formerly Laubach.)

“It was hard on them last year, because they were close to making State at Districts,” she said. However, the team suffered from injuries that occurred during the Olympic League competition. “They really wanted it bad.”

But with the amount of time the boys have put into their running, they have one of the best shots Kingston boys have had at State, especially the seniors, Manuguid said.

If the team stays healthy, they’ll be fine. The only thing the boys need to work on in mentally pushing themselves, Manuguid said.

Both cross country teams will compete Sept. 6 during the Olympic Jamboree at the Kitsap Fairgrounds. Boys 3,000-meters open starts at 3:30 p.m. Varsity starts at 4 p.m. Girls start at 4:30 p.m.