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Note: Most of the individuals consist of returning runners. New runners are tough to plug in though the team scores may have been adjusted based on new runners.

Girls Class A

     Looks to be lucky 13 for Saratoga Springs. Even with the loses from last year Saratoga still has four in the top ten and is a big favorite to win their 13th straight Class A title. The real battle is going to be for second place as up to five teams could be battling for the second spot. Right now I give Shaker has the slight advantage as they bring three back that were in the top 15 including state qualifier Maryanna Lansing.. Guilderland could be the challenger led by state qualifier Jenna Robinson and they also add Emily Burns this year who ran a 10:39 3000 meters last spring and is not figured into the team scoring below. Colonie has a really tight pack but would probably like to see a front runner to keep the score low. Shenendehowa lost Lizzie Predmore but returns a solid core. You can also plug in Bethlehem as they have a good front runner with Lindsay Cheu and with such a large team could come up with enough depth to move up. Niskayuna has a top runner with Felicia Sciortino but needs help with the back end. Columbia has a tight back but it's too far back to compete higher. Ballston Spa will struggle but will still be ahead of the trio of Big 10 teams.

     Individually, Saratoga teammates Taylor Driscoll and Keelin Hollowood went 1-2 last year and should battle it out as they are 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Shaker's Maryanna Lansing could improve enough to give them a challenge. Guilderland's Jenna Robinson, Saratoga's Olivia Morrow, and Niskayuna's Felicia Sciortino were all in the low 18's and could challenge. 

Girls Class B

     People have been all over the Holy Names bandwagon since it came out that Estela Smith transferred in from Saratoga but winning he section 2 title still will be no easy task. Burnt Hills has won the last two titles and five out of the last six and will not give it up that easily. 11 out of the top 12 are from either Holy Names and Burnt Hills so we are basically going to see a dual meet which means the score will be very close.  Holy Names has the slight edge but Burnt Hills has the better depth as they bring back eight runners that were under 19 minutes last year. It's going to be an exciting race to watch. Queensbury seems to be in no man's land. Too far behind to challenge for the top two and too far ahead the fourth place team. Scotia-Glenville and Notre dame-Bishop Gibbons looks to battle for fourth place. Amsterdam ended last year with a bunch of injuries and look to bounce back this year and look to be in good shape for 6th. After that, the next five or six teams could finish in any order as they are all very close together.

     Individually, Leah Triller is the defending champion and with teammate Estela Smith are the only two returning that were under 18 minutes. You could see quite a few runners returning that have the capability of breaking the 18 minute barrier this year as the next five runners were all under 18:20 last year. 

Girls Class C

     The teams of Class C would like to thank Greenwich for the dwindling  enrollment which puts them back into Class D after winning the last two Class C title with dual meet scores. That leaves the rest of Class C with a fighting chance this year. Fonda-Fultonville looks to take over the crown as they were second last year and bring everyone back. They have a small team so staying healthy will be a priority. Mechanicville was third last year and should move up a spot based on them bringing everyone back from last year. Broadalbin-Perth comes down from Class B but were hit hard by graduation. They should still have enough to to get third. It gets a little muddled after the top three as I moved Cohoes up based on two runners that had great spring seasons and are coming out for cross country for the first time. Cobleskill-Richmondville brings back a solid core to also challenge for the top three and Schuylerville had an excellent modified team last year and could definitely move up if those runners move up and contribute quickly. After the first six teams there is a group of eight, that's right, eight teams that are all bunch up within 50 points of each other so they can finish in any order.

     Individually, Stillwater's Victoria Hathaway has the slight edge over Fonda-Fultonville's Kim Geniti for the the title of pre-season favorite. Fonda's Jaime Kasza and Samantha Phelps could also be in the mix. I also wouldn't be surprised if we see a new name up at the top this year as there is an influx of new faces in Class C this year.  

Girls Class D

     Unlike Class C, the Class D schools are probably not welcoming Greenwich with open arms. The Witches return their top four from last year and are huge favorites to take the Class D title. Last year's champions, Berne-Knox-Westerlo returns their top two and has enough to hold on to second. Duanesburg and North Warren should battle for third with Berlin not that far behind with Mayfield, if they have a full team. 

    Individually, Vicky Houser is the only runner returning that was under 18 minutes last year and is the favorite. Three of her teammates are not that far behind and Berne-Knox-Westerlo's Courtney Tedeschi and North Warren's Megan Erickson could improve their times with the upgrade in competition.