BOYS

1. Scarborough: Winners of the past two Class A state meets and six of the past eight, the Red Storm show no signs of slipping. Robby Hall and Jack Sullivan lead a strong senior class that includes Sam Terry and Alec James. Ian Morris is the top junior, with Matt Aceto and Alex Karam not far behind. Jacob Terry is the only sophomore with significant experience, but Sean McGovern and Maxim Doiron provide depth. Freshmen Colin Tardiff and Andrew Sholl show promise. 

2. Falmouth: Graduation took a toll on the defending Class B champion, which returns only two of its top seven runners — senior Jay Lesser and sophomore Spencer Brown. However, senior Azad Jalali is back after an injury-induced layoff, sophomore Scott Lambert is coming off a stellar track season, senior Tristan Tucker trained hard this summer and Bryce Murdick, a transfer from New Hampshire, won his opening meet, so Falmouth again will be potent. 

3. York: In seniors Josh Brooks, Nick Eaton and Alec Jordan, and junior Mason Finitz, the Wildcats return four of their top seven from a squad that finished a close fourth — three points out of second place — in the Class B state meet. Twenty new runners bolster the roster to 49, and the Wildcats are coming off state titles in indoor and outdoor track. 

4. Cape Elizabeth: Seeking its first Class B title since repeating in 2006, Cape returns five of its top seven from a team that placed fifth in Class B. Juniors Peter Doane and Liam Simpson lead the way. Classmates Julian Pelzer, Trevor Ewald, Will Britton, sophomores Tim Brigham and Kyle Kennedy, and freshman Justin Guerette are also in the mix. 

5. Freeport: The Falcons moved up to Class B last fall and placed a respectable sixth in the state meet. Back from that squad are a host of seniors — Abrin Berkemeyer, Mason Cyr, Victor Skorapa, Vinnie Zolla and Chris West — along with junior Mark Donahue. Freshman Chandler Vincent could also contribute, giving Freeport a legitimate chance to compete for hardware.

GIRLS

1. Cheverus: Although graduation losses make a fourth straight Class A state title an uphill battle, Cheverus remains formidable. Juniors Shannon Conley and Kiera Murray are among only five returning runners in all classes who broke 20 minutes in the state meet last fall. Supporting them are seniors Greta Niedermeyer and Emily Perry, and sophomores Georgia Caso and newcomer Kaitlyn Dostie. 

2. Camden Hills: Eastern Maine champions in Class B after a winless season in 2010, the Windjammers won’t surprise anyone this year. Junior Brittany Bowman is the defending Class B individual champ and sophomore Willow Parker was fifth. Sophomores Sam Morse and Lydia Morin have made great strides, and classmates Ella Scott and Lily Kassen, freshman Jacqueline Russell, and seniors Emily Lopez and Hannah Brownawell all will contribute. 

3. Massabesic: Sophomore Gabrielle Johnson leads a veteran team that finished one point behind Class A runner-up Mt. Ararat last fall. Seniors Jocelyn Acheson and Marie Harrington, and junior Nicole Roberge return from the top six. Senior Kate Sobanik, and juniors Jolena Lampron and Angel Waters have improved. Freshmen Emily Wasina and Maquila Dimasrantonio show plenty of promise. 

4. Greely: Western Class B champions last fall, the Rangers return six of their top seven runners, led by junior Kirstin Sandreuter (the top high school girl at the Beach to Beacon) and sophomore Eva Bates. Senior Jordan Ouellette, juniors Krista Marble, Jill Booth and Cameron Keefe, and sophomore Emma Mason provide the depth and experience necessary to challenge Mt. Desert Island and Camden Hills. 

5. Bonny Eagle: The Scots placed eighth in Class A last fall with all underclass scorers. The top returners are seniors Sam Cox and Gaelyn Lindauer, juniors Kristen Glennie and Audrey Weyand, and improved sophomore Kyuanna Libby. Newcomers Mary Szatkowski and Lexi Vayda will strengthen the Scots. 

— Glenn Jordan, Staff Writer