High school athletes will now be able to try a new sport: cross-country running.

The team is recruiting members to join Keenan and Daniel O’Brien and Rowan Lister.

They will be meeting four days a week for training in Moran State Park and Eastsound with varied workouts, including runs of three to four miles during each training session.

Kevin O’Brien has helped organize the new team and hopes to be the coach. He plans to enlist the help of Dennis Dahl, Randy Gaylord and the Orcas Island Running Club.

“We are going to get a lot of help from the running community,” he said.

Meets will be held off-island but as the program grows, they hope to host meets at Orcas School.

“This is a building year,” Kevin said. “This is good for kids who prefer an individual sport. I am super excited.”