1. McDonogh
Postseason: Fourth in the MIAA title meet
Outlook: This team should make some noise. The Eagles have the area’s top distance runner in Dalton Hengst, and D’Von Ellies and DeJuan Ellis will give them plenty of points in the field events.
2. Dulaney
Postseason: Second in the Class 4A state meet
Outlook: The Lions have a good stable of distance runners, led by Brian McCullough, and high jumper Josiah Nilsen transferred in from St. Paul’s. They’ll score points on the track and in field events, a big reason they're always in the mix.
3. Century
Postseason: Class 2A state champion
Outlook: The Knights won last year’s Class 2A state title meet, and they’ve got lots of talent once more. Jacob Spera and others give Century a strong lineup this winter.
4. Gilman
Postseason: Second in MIAA title meet
Outlook: The Greyhounds always have a packed lineup in the winter, and this season should be no different. Eric Gibson is a top distance runner, with others such as Mason Freeman helping in the competitive MIAA A Conference.
5. Loyola Blakefield
Postseason: Third in MIAA title meet
Outlook: Brodie Holmes, Camden Gilmore and others should help the Dons be a force this winter in the MIAA A Conference.
6. Westminster
Postseason: Tied for fourth in Class 3A state meet
Outlook: With runners such as Zane Lewis and Troy Johnson, the Owls will get some points. If they can also score in field events, it could be a good season.
7. South River
Postseason: Tied for ninth in Class 4A state meet
Outlook: Last winter, the Seahawks did well in middle distance and relays. If they can do that again, they’ll have a shot at doing well in the big races as they did last season, when South River tied for ninth in the Class 4A state meet.
8. Mount Saint Joseph
Postseason: MIAA title meet champion
Outlook: The Gaels lost some from last year but still retain good distance runners such as Hunter Petrik. But the MIAA A Conference will be tough this season with teams such as McDonogh and Gilman, so Mount Saint Joseph is going to need help from other parts of its lineup.
9. Howard
Postseason: Fifth in Class 4A state meet
Outlook: The Lions lost some key seniors from last year’s team, and that is going to hurt. Still, they’ve got distance runner Nick Deamer and others who could step up and make them a solid team again.
10. Liberty
Postseason: Sixth in Class 2A state meet
Outlook: The Lions often rely on depth and points in the field events. Daniel Saxon (distance) and Zach Stump (running and pole vaulting) helped them last year, as they were sixth in Class 2A, and Liberty should be tough once more.
Others considered: Digital Harbor, Eastern Tech, Hereford, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, Wilde Lake