Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Cross Country Teams to Watch

BOYS' TEAMS

1. Scarborough: The defending Class A champion is seeking its sixth state title in eight years. Five of its top seven runners return. 

2. Falmouth: Runner-up to Caribou a year ago, Falmouth returns its top nine runners. Junior Jay Lesser placed fourth -- second on the team -- in the opening league meet last week. 

3. Greely: After a three-year run at the top of Class B ended last fall, the Rangers will contend on their home course at the state meet. Five of the top seven are back. 

4. North Yarmouth Academy: Six of the top seven runners return for the defending Class C state champ. Senior Alex Coffin, who has track experience, bolsters a veteran squad. 

5. South Portland: Although it's hard to overlook Cape Elizabeth, which returns six of its top nine from a New England-qualifying team, the Red Riots get the nod for the final spot. 

GIRLS' TEAMS

1. Cheverus: The two-time defending Class A champ returns its top seven from a team that placed fourth in New England last fall and fifth the year before. 

2. Mt. Ararat: Although the Eagles are starting slowly, largely because of injuries, expect them to return to the New Englands. Five of the top seven runners are back. 

3. Cape Elizabeth: The Capers are the only team to qualify for the New Englands all six years since Maine resumed sending teams. New coach Eliza Eshelman inherits a solid core. 

4. Brunswick: Senior Katie McMahon leads a well-rounded team that placed second in Eastern Class A last fall and should challenge Mt. Ararat this year. 

5. Camden Hills: After going winless last fall, the young Windjammers knocked off defending regional champ Mt. Ararat in their opener.

-- Glenn Jordan, Staff Writer