The battle for the top spot in Mountain Valley Conference cross country seems to be a war of attrition.

Last year, the conference saw the number of teams with full squads drop dramatically. This season, one year after Jay dropped its program, Telstar won’t field a girls’ team, Winthrop hasn’t enough runners for either a boys’ or a girls’ team, Lisbon is once again without a full girls’ squad, and Dirigo can’t find the runners for either a boys’ or a girls’ team.

So what’s left? Monmouth, primarily.

Last year, both the Mustangs’ squads finished as Class D runners-up. The boys this season will be anchored by five of last year’s top seven and will also be aided by the return of Travis Pease, who transferred to Edward Little last season but returns for his senior year.

“The biggest challenges for this team are leadership, mental toughness and closing the gap left by last season’s top runners,” said coach Rick Amero.

Chasing the Mustangs in the boys’ MVC race this year will be Telstar, Lisbon and Madison, although Madison was hit hard by graduation and transfer. Lisbon returns all but one of its runners from last year, and should be one of the best teams in the conference. Troy Clark is the lone senior, which bodes even better for the team’s future.

He should provide solid leadership at the front of the pack, giving the team a legitimate shot at returning to states.

Telstar lost the meat of its lineup but gains several new runners that should make the team quite strong.

The Rebels have only one senior, Dustin Angevine, who will be able to lead the crew through the courses.

Ron Savage, a transfer from Madison, should shore up the top running group and help the Rebels in their shift from Class D to Class C.

MVC Girls

Monmouth is again the favorite in the conference for the girls’ title.

Wiscasset and Madison will be strong as always, but led by Emily Masi, Heidi Bonderud and Ashley McDonald, the Mustangs appear even deeper.

Overall in Class D, Monmouth expects a challenge from non-conference foe Elan School at states.