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BOYS

1. Winthrop: The Ramblers are looking to defend their titles in the Mountain Valley Conference and Class C South. Leading the way is veteran senior Alfie Cognata, who took second at states, regionals and MVCs last year. Sam St. Germain placed 12th at states, and fellow senior Gianni Haefele and sophomore Michael Van Tassel will also contend for top places. But Winthrop’s best runner might be a freshman. Sawyer Wess beat out all of the aforementioned runners to win last week’s season-opening meet at Maranacook.

2. Mt. Blue: After finishing fourth at the KVAC Large School and Class A North championships last year, the Cougars started another season strong last week, easily winning their opening meet at home. Junior Wyatt Oliver, sophomore Lucas DeMarco and senior Nick DeMarco swept the top three spots. At the Laliberte Invitational on Aug. 27, Oliver finished fourth and Lucas DeMarco was fifth. Oak Medina, a junior, is another strong runner.

3. Maranacook: The Black Bears weren’t far behind Winthrop in their opening meet, losing out to the Ramblers by only two points. Sophomore Gage Mattson, who placed second to Sawyer Wess, took fifth place at the Class C championships last year and seventh at this year’s Laliberte Invitational. Junior Romelio Haldane, senior Timothy Booth and freshman Thomas Gannett took sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively, against Winthrop. Seniors Carter Bennett and Milo Winter and freshman Mason Levesque provide depth.

Also keep an eye on: Messalonskee, Gardiner

GIRLS

1. Maranacook: The Black Bears opened with a victory at home last Thursday, led by freshman Reagan Mattson, who set a course record in her first high school meet (19 minutes, 35.31 seconds). She placed first in the 106-girl Laliberte field in 15:50.95. Senior Harper Olmstead, who placed sixth in the MVC last year, is a strong No. 2 runner. The Black Bears will also look to junior Ellida Martin, senior Kira Pelletier and freshman Evangeline Winter.

2. Waterville: The Purple Panthers breezed to victory at last week’s Mt. Blue meet, claiming five of the top eight places. Senior Carson Dunn, who took first place, is one of the best runners in the KVAC and Class B. Juniors Allison Amuso and Winnie Liu, and senior Penny Graham finished fourth through sixth at Mt. Blue. Graham and sophomore Amelie Van Der Meer should compete for top-10 spots in KVAC Small, along with Dunn. Junior Elluna Sawyer and senior Gwen Lord provide further depth.

3. Mt. Blue: The Cougars finished second to Waterville in their home meet and appear primed for a good year. Elise LeMotte looks like the top runner after placing third in the home meet and 19th at the Laliberte Invitational. Fellow sophomore Emma Tyler (ninth at Mt. Blue, 26th at Laliberte) has been the No. 2 runner in both meets thus far. Coach Kelley Cullenberg sees freshman Chloe Robinson as a potential standout, while senior Izzy Hanson and sophomores Hallie Parlin and Vivienne Parlin will also factor.

Also keep an eye on: Winthrop, Cony