KVAC class A boys

It’s a wide-open race this season for the KVAC Class A cross country title. After four straight years as the conference champion, Mt. Blue will have a tough challenge from Lewiston, Edward Little and Brunswick. The Cougars return one of the deepest squads with freshman Kelton Cullenberg joining upper classmen Eric Marceau and Thayne White in trying to defend their team title. The Blue Devils are the reigning Eastern A champs and return a talented foursome from last year’s squad. Recently they had a number-five runner drop into their lap as junior Tom Tripp relocated after being Winthrop’s No. 2 runner. The Red Eddies return a pair of big-race runners in Tom Esponette and two-time regional champion Nick Kazar. Sophomore Tyler Gammon may prove to be the key for them. Cony freshman Luke Fontaine is one to watch.

KVAC Class A girls

Mt. Ararat suffered some key losses, but has a slew of talented runners to choose from. Brunswick should challenge for the title, but it looks like just a two-team battle.

KVAC Class B boys

Leavitt and Waterville were the favorites heading into the preseason for the boys’ B crown, but Maranacook received an influx of talented new athletes to the program. The Black Bears won the overall team title at the preseason LaLiberty Invitational in Augusta which featured many of the top area teams in all three classes. Leavitt’s Justin Fereshetian, Waterville’s Sam Wood and Belfast’s Luke Miller are three of the best in the conference.

KVAC Class B girls

The Waterville girls are the class of the B division. The Purple Panthers would probably be the KVAC favorite if they were competing in Class A. Jamie Lyn Williams, Cynthia Hunter and Hannah Bard will be the top three finishers in many meets this fall. Maranacook heads a short list of teams chasing Waterville. Belfast’s Megan Nealey and Maranacook’s Jen Monsulick join the Waterville trio as top runners.

WMC boys

The WMC is by far the toughest league in the state for both boys and girls. Defending champion Cape Elizabeth is the clear boys’ favorite here. The Capers return just about their entire team. Falmouth and York should battle it out for runner-up status. Falmouth’s Ethan Shaw and Poland’s Nick Williams will have some interesting battles this fall as they are two of the top runners in the state.

WMC girls

Like the boys’ team, the Cape Elizabeth girls are the defending state champions and a heavy favorite to repeat as conference and state champions again. Freshman sensation Emily Attwood could be the league’s top individual. Defending class C champ Freeport lost a lot to graduation, but return enough to have a good shot at repeating at the state level. The Falcons were second to the Capers in the conference last season and will contend for second-place again with Falmouth and Greely.

MVC boys

Lisbon is attempting to win a fourth straight title at the state level, but things won’t be as easy as last year. While the Greyhounds return the reigning individual state champion in Tyler Clark, they need to get some help in their fourth and fifth spots. Depth is a concern for coach Hank Fuller’s group. Winthrop had closed the gap before Tripp moved away. Without him, it’ll be an even tougher task to overtake Lisbon. The Ramblers have an ace in Danny Soltan who is the nearest competitor in the league to Clark.

MVC girls

The Monmouth girls are gunning for their fifth consecutive conference title. With the deepest squad in the conference, they should have no problem winning the MVC crown again this fall. Madison and Hall-Dale are the nearest competitors with Lisbon and Telstar having the chance to surprise a few folks. The individual title is wide open with the Telstar duo of Jen DeNormandie and Brianne Bailey two of the many girls vying for the top spot along with Hall-Dale’s Magen Ellis and Madison’s Danielle Hebert.