Taylor Beers, Lawrence junior, pole vault: The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B pole vaulting field is likely to be dominated by central Maine competitors, and Beers (7 feet, 6 inches) is the reigning conference champion.

Angelina Boisvert, Maine Central Institute senior, throws/sprints: Boisvert won the Class C outdoor title in the shot put with a throw of 33 feet. She is KVAC B’s top returning indoor athlete in that event (31-8) and will also contend in the triple and long jumps.

Hallie Coots, Nokomis senior, distance: Coots is one of the top five returning KVAC B runners in the 800, mile and 2-mile. Coach Joshua Hunt likes her chances to eclipse her personal record (2:49.33) and set a school record in the 800.

Gabrielle Finelli, MCI senior, jumps/sprints: Finelli is the top returning 55-meter hurdler in the state after earning the KVAC B title (9.26) and a state runner-up finish (8.96) in the event last winter. She also claimed the KVAC crown in the triple jump (35-0 1/4).

Norah Jamison, MCI senior, pole vault/relays: Jamison cleared 8-6 in the pole vault — the best of any central Maine vaulter last winter — to place fifth at Class B states. She’s also part of an 800 relay team that should compete for a conference title.

Grace Mayo, Skowhegan senior, jumps: Mayo, also one of the state’s top field hockey players. earned KVAC Large School titles in the long jump (17-3 1/2) and triple jump (33-10 1/2) in the spring and was the Class A state runner-up in the long jump (17-4). 

Kelsie Murray, Messalonskee senior, jumps: Another elite jumper, Murray is the defending KVAC Class A indoor champ in both the long jump (16-9 1/2) and triple jump (34-3 1/2). She was also conference runner-up in the high jump (5-0).

Sovie Rau, Erskine Academy junior, sprints: Rau is the top returning runner in the KVAC B 400 after placing second (1:04.87) last winter. She also placed fourth in the 55 with a time of 7.75 seconds. 

Evelyn Stevenson, Maranacook junior, jumps/hurdles: Stevenson cleared 5 feet to win the Class C outdoor high jump championship last spring, a height that would put her in contention for KVAC and Class A state titles this winter (the Black Bears are now in a co-op with Gardiner and Lisbon).

Davyn Swindells, Gardiner senior, sprints/jumps: Swindells set the Gardiner indoor record in the 200 last winter with a time of 27.76 and took fifth in KVAC B (28.10). She was also fifth at the Class B outdoor state meet in the triple jump (32-10 1/2).

Also keep an eye on: Kaylee Lappin, Erskine Academy senior, jumps/hurdles; Alexandria McDonough, Messalonskee junior, sprints/jumps; Maria Moumoris, Winslow sophomore, sprints/relays; Kate Sirois, Cony senior, middle distance.