Two season ago, the Fryeburg girls’ cross country team lost three top runners and thought they may need a year to rebuild. All the Raiders did last autumn was win the Class B state title, thanks to No. 6 runner Carly Trumann’s effort at the final meet.

This year, again, Fryeburg is speaking of rebuilding. Trumann, Mariah Whitney and Joanna Kinsman are all gone from last year’s team, leaving coach Bill Reilly with four varsity runners, none of which are seniors.

Deja-vu? Perhaps. Stephanie Jette will begin her third consecutive year as the top runner on the team and could lead the pack to the top.

“I’ve told the team already it’d be nice to repeat,” said Reilly, “but the most important thing I really want to see this year, especially with no seniors, is the effort toward that goal.”

In the Western Maine Conference this season, the Raiders are one of several teams with a chance to take the title. As was the case last year, the difference from first to fifth may be merely three or four points.

“It’s going to be a big year for teams that can run well as a pack,” said Reilly. “Having a fifth runner in 80th place with three or four top runners may not be enough.”

Chasing Fryeburg on the girls’ side will be Cape Elizabeth, NYA, and, as always, Greely. Cape has a strong top running base and will have to bring its bottom two into a pack to be effective. NYA will be a top pick in Class C this season, and Greely continues its tradition of solid distance runners.

Gray-New Gloucester has impressive numbers this year, which should lead to the Patriots scoring well in several meets. Up the road at Poland, five solid runners have turned out for the team, and the team’s goal for this season is to perhaps squeak into states.

WMC Boys

Greely and Falmouth appear impressively strong this year in the WMC and state race. Falmouth has three top-level runners that could all finish near the top, and Greely, with perennial contender Ben True leading the way, should be strong from top to bottom.

Locally, Poland finished fifth last season in the state meet and returns nearly everyone to the line this year.

“With a strong pack, this conference is so deep anything can happen,” said Poland coach Ray Lafreniere. “We’re eager to return to the state championships.”

Kevin Mitchell is the lone senior. Matt Turcotte, John Culpepper and Ryan Stevenson head the group of juniors looking to make an impact this season.

At Gray-New Gloucester, coach Lowell Fancher returns four of seven runners from last year’s top seven but also claims that this is “the youngest team I’ve ever coached.”

Jacob Burrows and Adam Vachon will provide solid senior leadership.

Fryeburg again is struggling with numbers. At press time, coach Bill Reilly had four boys out for the team, one less than required to score as a team. If they can pick up that extra runner, the Raiders could be a sleeper.

in some of the smaller meets in which they race.

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