The Hopkinton High School girls cross-country team is deeper this year than it has been in many past seasons, despite having a relatively small roster. Coach Jean Cann said the start of the season was focused on getting newer runners some experience after the Hillers graduated a strong class last year.

“We have a nice group, a nice pack,” Cann said. “We have more of a pack that can run together than we have had in recent years, so that’s nice. We are still figuring out who can step into some roles of some of the girls who graduated.”

Hopkinton began its season with a win over Dedham before suffering a setback against Holliston. While the Hillers have numerous younger runners, a pair of senior captains — Chloe Tumbleton and Meaghan Burdulis — are leading the way.

“Chloe trained a lot more consistently this summer, and she is super talented,” Cann said. “They are both very talented runners who could do very well at the individual meets if they have a good day.”

The state divisional meet this season is at Wrentham, which Cann said is a favorite track for both Tumbleton and Burdulis.

In addition to the two veteran runners, freshman Sana Kandasamy quickly established herself as one of the team’s top contributors. Junior captain Wafiya Syeda is another strong runner who improved significantly since last year.

“She put in some hard work over the offseason,” Cann said. “This is only her second cross-country season, she trained a lot more consistently this summer, and it’s paying off.”

Juniors Jillian Toran and Lila Heling have been running close together along with Syeda, Cann added.

“They try to run as a pack when they can and really push each other,” the coach said.

Maybe the most improved runner on the roster is sophomore Aroa Alonso, who knocked nearly three minutes off of her time on the home course at Hopkinton State Park. Megan Han, Audrey Evans, Keemia Ravoz and Isabel Walker are contributors who have the ability to finish among the team’s top seven on a strong day. All of them have been showing consistent improvement as the season progresses, Cann said.

With so much depth, Cann said Hopkinton should be able to compete with some of the more top-heavy programs in the Tri-Valley League when the league showcase meet comes around. But the Hillers are also looking to continue to be competitive in their dual meets.

“We are hoping to give every opponent a challenge,” Cann said.