BOYS

1. Freeport: The Falcons won a Class B state title for the first time in school history last fall and show no signs of slowing, with five of the top six runners returning. Individual runner-up Chandler Vincent and fellow seniors Erik Probst and Liam Gallagher join junior Henry Jaques and sophomore Ethan Sclar at the top of a deep squad bolstered by the addition of freshman Alex Les.

2. Scarborough: The defending Class A champion Red Storm return a solid senior trio of Colin Tardiff, Connor Doherty and Andrew Sholl and add from track junior Shamus Malia. Junior Andrew Goodwin has made great strides and seems poised for the No. 5 slot. With a squad of 25, depth is not a problem.

3. Falmouth: The reigning Western Maine Class A champion figures to be on Scarborough’s heels once again, despite heavy graduation losses. Look for seniors Sean Soucy and Josh Simensky to spearhead a deep contingent (36 runners) that includes junior Ben Wyman, sophomore Connor Piers and freshman John Auer.

4. York: The reigning Western Maine Class B champion returns three of its top five (seniors Rex Brockelman, Sam Sewall and Evan Hulstrom) and classmate Schaeffer Rees moves up from seventh. Seniors Hugh Beaton and Jake Succi, juniors Ryan Simpson and Noah Peltz and sophomore Jake Young lend depth.

5. Greely: The Rangers were second in Western Maine last fall before dropping to fourth at the state meet. Seniors Ryan Morrison, Kyle Hansen and Connor Rog and junior Max Stickney return from the top five with sophomores Adam Bruder and Trevor Rafford and freshman Matthew Todd showing promise. Wells ranks a close sixth.

– Glenn Jordan

GIRLS

1. Scarborough: The defending Class A champion Red Storm return all seven runners who competed in the state meet: seniors Laura Volan, Morgan McKeown and Sophie Lawsure, junior Marisa Carbone and sophomores Bethany Sholl, Samantha Saraceno and Hannah Griffin. Joining that group is promising freshman Elizabeth Tardiff.

2. Yarmouth: The reigning Western Maine Class B champion Clippers pack the most potent 1-2-3 punch in the region with juniors Abby Hamilton and Grace Cowles and sophomore Anneka Murrin. Seniors Lucy Alexander and Lydia Sullivan also return. Classmates Danielle Laverdiere and Campbell Dorsett also provide veteran leadership.

3. Massabesic: Six of the top seven runners return for the reigning Western Maine Class A champion Mustangs, who wound up in second place by four points at the state meet. Seniors Emily Wasina, Roshelle Morrison, Brianna Drew, Maquila Dimastrantonio and Madison Bantz lead a team seeking its first state title. Junior Olivia Ducharme also lends experience.

4. Greely: The defending Class B state champs saw individual runner-up Izzy Evans leave to study in Spain but welcome back class champion Katherine Leggat-Barr, a junior. Seniors Sophia Stickney and Faith Price and sophomore Kate Curran also return. Freshmen Carolyn Todd and Julia Curran continue the influx of young talent for a deep (25 girls) squad.

5. Falmouth: Western Maine Conference individual champion Mira Wyman, a junior, leads a 33-runner contingent that will challenge Scarborough and Massabesic. Freshman Malaika Pasch, junior Hannah Berzinis and seniors Kaileigh Wimert, Krysia Lesniak and Gina Pardi join with Wyman in a formidable pack of six.

– Glenn Jordan