UPDATE: OKEMOS, MI - When coach John Quiring, or better known as "coach Q," stepped down as the Okemos cross country coach, assistant coach Brian Harrod stepped in.

"We have a different coach, coach Harrod," said Roxanne Raven, a senior runner at Okemos High School. "Our old coach, coach Q, can't be with us this year, but he's here with us in spirit."

Due to serious health issues, Quiring had to stop coaching the Chieftains. His absence on the track and at school practices influenced coach Harrod to implement new workouts and intervals compared to last season.

"He's a tremendous influence on what we're doing this year in terms of workouts," said Harrod. "He's an overall inspiration to us all."

On the boys side, the Chiefs have dominated the CAAC blue league the last three years. Going into the season they were seeded number one in their league and are looking to four-peat again this year.

"Our primary goal is winning the league," said senior runner David McKinley. "I think that we definitely have a good chance of doing so."

The biggest competitors for the boys this season will be Grand Ledge, Holt, and East Lansing.

Coincidentally the biggest competition on the girls side is also Grand Ledge and East Lansing, but with seven girls under 21 minutes, Harrod would like to see the girls team get into the 19's.

"We've always ran as a pack," said said Raven. "Our girls are really close this year especially...we stick together."

With the regional meet in Brighton this year, the Chiefs have a challenge ahead of them, competing against quality suburban Detroit schools.

ORIGINAL STORY: OKEMOS, MI - This year the Okemos Chieftain cross country team has a new coach, but he's a familiar face, and very familiar with the Chieftain running program. Tune into All Access Sports for a preview of this year's 2012 team.