BOYS
1. Mount St. Joseph
Last season: No. 3
Led by Duane Parker, Thomas Meyer and Matthew Parks, the Gaels have plenty of balance and can score points from a lot of places. They should battle Gilman for the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association title.
2. Gilman
Last season: No. 2
The Greyhounds' biggest question is whether they have enough depth to push Mount St. Joseph. Gilman always seems to find talent every spring.
3. Mervo
Last season: No. 7
The Mustangs have balance in both the running and field events. The Mustangs are looking to rebound after a narrow defeat in the city indoor championships and a frustrating performamnce at the states.
4. Loyola
Last season: Unranked
Greg Jubb leads a strong corps of distance runners who made the Dons untouchable in cross country last fall. Loyola also fared well in the winter, but the question is whether it has enough talent in sprints and field events to make a strong push in the MIAA this spring.
5. McDonogh
Last season: No. 4
The Eagles graduated All-Metro picks Keith Brown and Jason Gross and the points that go with them, but McDonogh always finds a way to score points in bunches.
6. Howard
Last season: No. 8
The Lions made an impressive showing indoors, taking third in the Class 3A-2A meet, and will try to defend their Class 2A state title this spring. The powerful tandem of Joey Thompson and Chris Brewington should help them have a good shot.
7. Meade
Last season: Unranked
Malik Zafar heads a team that's quickly making a name for itself in the Anne Arundel County and the area.
8. Poly
Last season: Unranked
Coach Steve Williams did a fine job in guiding the boys to a city and state title this winter, and the Engineers have plenty of talent in sprints and relays to make a run this spring.
9. Fallston
Last season: Unranked
Chris Wagner is the team's top distance runner and is coming off a state championship indoors. The Cougars are the favorite in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference.
10. Digital Harbor
Last season: Unranked
The Rams took third in the Class 2A-1A indoor state meet and have a solid sprinter in Anthony Drumsgoole, but they might not have enough depth to fare well in the bigger spring meets.
Others considered -- Archbish op Curley (No. 1), Atholton (un ranked), C. Milton Wright (un ranked), Dulaney (unranked), South River (unranked).
GIRLS
1. Western
Last season: No. 2
The defending Class 3A state champion Doves return plenty of talent this spring. Letecia Wright has developed into one of the state's best track athletes, and Tashana Johnson was a big help indoors.
2. McDonogh
Last season: No. 1
The Eagles can rely on the talents of Jameice DeCoster, Chante Sandiford and several others to make a big push in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland this spring. Their mildly surprising loss to Seton Keough in the indoor conference championship meet should be motivation for the Eagles this spring.
3. North Carroll
Last season: No. 5
During indoor track season, the Panthers showed they were for real by winning the Class 3A-2A state title. Led by Katie Hursey and Jess Huber, they will try to do the same outdoors.
4. Seton Keough
Last season: Unranked
Erin Brooks and Colleen Shea anchor a deep team that knocked off McDonogh in the IAAM indoor championships.
5. Atholton
Last season: No. 6
Alison Smith didn't run for the school during the indoor season, but her presence in the spring makes the Raiders a dangerous team.
6. Hereford
Last season: Unranked
The Bulls keep getting better each season, and Kristen Malloy and Marta Randall will give Hereford plenty of points each meet.
7. Mount Hebron
Last season: Unranked
Liz McCarter is looking to close out a fine high school career on top, and her success in the distance races should give the Vikings a boost.
8. Fallston
Last season: Unranked
The Cougars, who won the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference title last spring, will again be a favorite along with C. Milton Wright.
9. Digital Harbor
Last season: Unranked
The Rams are looking for an encore after winning the Class 2A-1A state title during the indoor season. Alyssa McClure may be only a freshman, but she helps Digital Harbor in several events and will give the team a strong starting point.
10. Annapolis
Last season: No. 8
Jessica Tongue and Torrie Saunders helped the Panthers finish second in the Class 3A-2A indoor meet with good work in the sprints. Annapolis also has good relay teams.
Others considered -- Aberdeen (unranked), C. Milton Wright (un ranked), Dulaney (unranked), Meade (unranked), Mervo (No. 4).