Apopka Blue Darters

Players to watch: The Lady Blue Darters lost a couple of key seniors after last season, but they have maintained their core going into 2016. Expected to continue their fast times from last season while taking on expanded leadership roles will be junior Rhyan Stelljes and sophomores

Outlook: “Last year, for the first time ever, the girls’ team qualified for regionals,” says Coach Brian Axon. “We are looking to improve on this and make it all the way to state.”

Boone Braves

Players to watch: Boone graduated No. 1 runner Alex Sublette but brings back most of its top competitors from last year, including senior Jessica Dolan. She had top-20 performances at the Metro Conference East and district meets and should be ready to move into the top spot for the Braves. Sophomore Hannah Schneeberger hopes to build on a solid rookie season and other key returners include seniors Kiara Zambrana, Raenna Pabon and Kelli Kurtz, and junior Samantha Schultz.

Outlook: The Braves took 2nd in the conference meet, 3rd at districts and 12th at regions in a solid 2015 season. They should be a team to watch in the major races again this year.

Colonial Grenadiers

Players to watch: Last year’s leader of the pack, Ashley Castro, has moved on after a stellar season, but Colonial does have some talent waiting in the wings. Junior Mikaela Montero had top-20 finishes in the Metro Conference East and district meets and should see her times get even better as an upperclassman. Sophomores Telise Torres and Hannah Augsburger shined as rookies and should be improved as well. Senior Yaminly Felasquez is another key returner.

Outlook: The Grenadiers posted top-five finishes at the conference and district meets and hope to remain there this season.

Cypress Creek Bears

Players to watch: Cypress Creek was hit hard by graduation, losing No. 1 runner Analiese Morales—who placed 16th at districts— along with most of their other top competitors. Leading the way this season will be junior Tamara Price, who turned in several solid runs at the big meets in 2015 as just a sophomore.

Outlook: It’s hard to say, with Price the only returner with varsity experience. The Bears will need newcomers to step in and give her support.

Dr. Phillips Panthers

Players to watch: Despite graduating No. 1 runner Annika Sison, there’s no cause for alarm for Dr. Phillips, which returns several terrific harriers. Junior Isabella Bartczak is ready for the spotlight after a fantastic sophomore season that included a 12th-place effort at states. She also ran a personal-best 18:54 to take 5th at regions and added a 12th-place showing at regions and a 3rd at the Metro Conference West meet. Junior Alison Walker is another fierce competitor who took 5th in the conference and was in the top 20 at districts and regions as well. Sophomore Charis Ivey and junior Hannah Waddell were both in the top 20 at the conference and district races and round out the top four. Seniors Emma Canty and Valeria Reyes and junior Izabella Smith add depth.

Outlook: The Panthers had another memorable campaign in 2015, as they were the Metro West champions, placed 2nd at districts and regions, and brought home a 4th-place finish at states. Count on similar achievements this fall.

East River Falcons

Players to watch: East River is paced by junior Kerrin Allen, who will look to follow up an impressive sophomore season in which she placed 11th at the Metro Conference East meet, 10th at districts and 26th at regions. Senior Amara Siegel is another determined runner who took 31st in the district race, while junior Angela Bateh wasn’t far behind her in 38th. Juniors Lauryn Benjamin and Ashleigh Dowdy also hope to contribute.

Outlook: Allen will be a contender at the major races this fall, and the other Falcons will look to keep lowering their times as the season wears on.

Edgewater Eagles

Players to watch: Top female runners expected to return to the Eagles in 2016 include senior Caroline Kurtz, junior Sloane Nerich, and sophomores Sagan Simmons and Nathalia Mercado. The four helped Edgewater finish with the 6th school time at last year’s Class 3A, District 6 meet.

Outlook: “We are excited about our upcoming season and our ever-growing program,” says Head Coach Alexa Corbo. While they had limited success at districts, they’ll be trying to improve their times so they can make an impact at regionals.

Evans Trojans

Players to watch: Evans graduated two runners who placed in the top 10 at districts, so new leaders of the pack will have to emerge. Sophomore Theodisha Etienne had a promising season as a rookie, including a 37th-place showing at districts, and should be even better with a year of experience under her belt. Senior leadership comes from Jamiah Jackson and Toniann Ewen, and juniors Ayana Bilbo and Lazaria Lino will add depth.

Outlook: The Trojans have some big shoes to fill but hope their young team can develop throughout the season

The First Academy Royals

Players to watch: The First Academy brings back a host of talented runners from last year’s district championship team, including junior Caroline Crist, the individual champ at districts who also placed 10th at regions and 44th at states. Freshman Isabel Crist had a sensational season as well, claiming 2nd at districts, 7th at regions and 29th at states. Caitlin Barker was the Royals’ best finisher at states in 23rd place and is a senior leader for the team. Other key returners include juniors Anna Kate Horton, Rebecca Myers and Hannah Baron.

Outlook: The Royals captured their fourth straight district title in 2015, took 3rd at regions and 7th at states, their third year in a row in the top 10. There is no reason those streaks can’t be extended this fall.

Freedom Patriots

Players to watch: The Lady Patriots will benefit from the returns of many experienced runners, including senior Caitlin Frank, who’s also a volleyball player. Others who are expected to return include juniors Taylor Smith and Freden Cesar, and sophomores Victoria Fiondella, Brooke Johnson and Lauren Frank.

Outlook: Freedom’s girls’ cross country team came in 9th at last year’s Class 4A, District 4 competition, so improvement is definitely desired. It will be up to new head coach Melanie Smith to figure out how to get them to the next level.

Hagerty Huskies

Players to watch: Nicolette Worrell is primed for a huge senior season after leaving her mark at all the major races in 2015. She ran 19:27 for 16th place at states, and also took 4th at districts and 6th at regions to go with a runnerup finish at the Seminole Athletic Conference meet. Junior Lauren Tucker is a talented No. 2 runner behind Worrell, as she was in the top 10 at the conference and district races. Tori Munro is a senior leader, and key juniors are Morgan Morarend and Maria Puccio Ball. Sophomores Kayla Messenger, Kate Medla and Kieran Riley return after promising debut seasons.

Outlook: The Huskies took 4th at both the conference and district meets and went on to place 6th at regions and 15th at states. With all of their top runners returning, 2016 should be even better.

Jones Tigers

Players to watch: Jones has several experienced runners back from last season who hope to lower their times as the season goes on. That group includes two juniors who showed potential as sophomores: Alyssa Wilson and Mahindra Pierre. Other returners include senior Johane Theodate and juniors Za’Quasha Flowers and Francesca Grayson.

Outlook: This season is all about making progress and getting more numbers in the program for the Tigers.

Lake Brantley Patriots

Players to watch: Lake Brantley’s fabulous freshmen from last year are now sophomores and ready to prove their debut seasons were no fluke. Leading the way is Jordan Stevens, who burst onto the scene with an 8th-place effort at the Seminole Athletic Conference meet before running a 19:38 at districts to capture 5th. She also took 23rd at regions. Chloe Hyde placed 10th at districts and 14th in the conference, while Rylie Jucker finished 21st at districts and cruised to a 13th-place showing in the conference race. Senior Jean Kopack placed in the top 20 at both the conference and district meets, and sophomore Madeline Wheaton took 25th at districts. Varsity newcomer Gabrielle Giovati, a senior, will also contribute.

Outlook: The Patriots were district champions in 2015 and also took 3rd in the conference and 8th at regions. Another conference title is certainly within reach.

Lake Highland Highlanders

Players to watch: This year, the Lady Highlanders will be led by four seniors who have been running since middle school. They include Claire Andrews, Julia Gallagher, Viktoria Lien and Kalie Skidelsky. The team is also hoping that rising stars Alexandra Cisneros and Juliet Small will make an impact.

Outlook: “[We] are looking forward to the new season with a blend of youth and a stronger senior class,” says Coach Gerry Spring. “We lose two of our top five runners, and how far we go in the season will depend on the work being done by the team this summer.”

Lake Howell Silverhawks

Players to watch: Senior Ashley Gonzalez returns to her role as Lake Howell’s No. 1 runner and will look to end her career on a high note. Last season, she earned a 24th-place finish at the Seminole Athletic Conference meet and placed 34th at districts, covering the 5K course in 22:11. Gwenyth Weiss is another valuable senior who took 36th in the conference and 50th at districts. Other returners who figure to be in the top five are senior Caroline Chhu and juniors Angela Henriquez and Hannah Vu-Bennett.

Outlook: It will be interesting to see what Gonzalez can do against the area’s top competition at the major meets, and the other Silverhawks will look to show improvement throughout the fall.

Lake Mary Rams

Players to watch: Expectations are high at Lake Mary, which returns its top five runners, all of whom placed in the top 20 at the Seminole Athletic Conference meet and the top 30 at the district championships. The conversation must begin with senior Daniela Urzua, one of the premier runners in the state. Last year she was the conference and district champion, took 2nd at regions and ran 18:16 at states to place 3rd. She will be a contender at all the big races in her final high school season. Junior Cheyenne St. Lewis was also in the top 10 at the conference and district meets and is a strong No. 2 runner for the Rams, and junior Maggie Lyons is usually right on her tail. Sophomores Maddie O’Brien and Kaelin Tully both had impressive rookie campaigns and round out the top five, and other key returners are sophomore Caroline Hazen and junior Brianna Simcox.

Outlook: The Rams won the conference championship, placed 2nd at states and 7th at regions in 2015. With so much talent remaining, count on similar success this fall.

Lake Nona Lions

Players to watch: Junior Arianna Prieto should be a star runner for the Lady Lions, recording one of the team’s best times at last year’s Class 4A, District 4 championship. Also expected to return is senior Molly Knox.

Outlook: “The 2016 cross country season will be a growing year for us as a team, since we graduated four of the seven varsity runners [from last year],” says Coach Janell Grasso. “The returning athletes are motivated, and young runners are ready to work hard and make the best of the season.”

Lyman Greyhounds

Players to watch: Lyman graduated three of its top five runners, including No. 1 Shannon Grace, who placed 3rd at the district championships. Senior Mary Grace Sonksen leads the returners after taking 15th at the Seminole Athletic Conference meet and 20th at districts. Junior Mariah Ruiz is another gutsy competitor who should be even better as an upperclassman.

Outlook: The Greyhounds will have a hard time improving on their 5th-place finish in the conference and 6th-place showing at districts, but hope to develop some new varsity runners behind Sonksen and Ruiz.

The Master’s Academy Eagles

Players to watch: The Master’s Academy suffered key losses to graduation, as it said goodbye to its three top runners. New leaders of the pack will have to emerge, and the candidates include junior Jenae Fedewa, sophomore Martha Tanner and senior Yadi Qian.

Outlook: The Eagles hope to add numbers to the program and keep growing throughout the season under new head coach Margie Morris, who was an assistant last year.

Oak Ridge Pioneers

Players to watch: No. 1 runner Naomi Similus has graduated after recording top-10 finishes in the Metro Conference East and district meets. That means a new leader of the pack must emerge, and the candidates include senior Chantel Johnson and juniors Mysaul Saintine and Marquasha Myers. Other returners include seniors Sophia Rivera and Nya’h Whitted, juniors Ashley Higgs and Sadia Merrone, and sophomores Omelia Bent, Jaela Hollie and Ka’Dayria Neal.

Outlook: The Pioneers have strength in numbers and will look to develop a strong foundation for the future.

Ocoee Knights

Players to watch: Rachelle Sanchez showed potential as a rookie and could be in store for a strong sophomore season for Ocoee. Jonely Perez is another sophomore who should be one of the team’s top runners. Senior leadership comes from Yaricsa Arroyo, Melissa Flores and Kolaiah Neal.

Outlook: The Knights have a nice blend of veterans and youngsters and hope to improve together this fall.

Olympia’s Girls Cross Country

Olympia Titans

Players to watch: Olympia’s girls’ team is looking toward what people might think is a rebuilding year, but seniors Julia House and Mariana Ortiz are putting in the work to get back that district title they lost two years ago to West Orange. Newcomer and lacrosse player Kirra Byerly (junior) has been showing early progress, too, and looks to help get the points needed to win.

Outlook: “I think people aren’t expecting anything from us with the loss of … Emily Headley two years ago,” says Coach Stephanie Manny, “but our team is making sure they prove all doubters wrong. They are a very competitive group of student-athletes and truly believe that hard work will prevail in the end.”

Oviedo Lions

Players to watch: Senior Niyati Shah is coming off a solid junior season and will seek to become Oviedo’s No. 1 runner. She took 25th in the Seminole Athletic Conference Championships and 33rd at districts and certainly has the potential to improve on those marks. Senior Sophia Wright and junior Isabella Lozada both placed in the top 40 at the conference meet and are also key returners. Seniors Grace Wildgen, Abigail Wildgen and Hannah Kraftchick add depth.

Outlook: With Shah leading the way, the Lions hope to move up a spot or two in the team standings at the conference and district races.

Seminole Seminoles

Players to watch: Seminole brings back many of its top runners, including sophomore Mia Olsen, who showed promise as a rookie. Returning juniors include Meghan Roth, Caitlin Kibler, Malavika Kannan and Malia Gable. Senior Taylor Meyer also returns along with sophomore Arianna Handzlik.

Outlook: This season is all about developing the young runners with an eye to the future.

Timber Creek Wolves

Players to watch: Timber Creek returns a solid runner at the front of the pack in junior Caitlin Galloway. She took 17th at the Metro Conference East Championships and 23rd at districts, as she completed the 5K course in 21:55. Senior Julianna Albritton will push Galloway from the No. 2 position, and other key returners are juniors Ashley Phang, Mary Santalla and Marianne Ostos and senior Roxane Perret.

Outlook: With Galloway sparking the team, the Wolves hope to improve on their 4th-place effort at the conference meet.

Trinity Preparatory Saints

Players to watch: Sophomores Olivia Demetriades and Bella Lundy, as well as junior Rose Millson, are all expected to return this year. They’ll get an assist from Alaina Pisello, an 8th grader who also happens to be a running powerhouse. She posted the school’s best individual time at last year’s Class 2A, District 8 championship.

Outlook: The Saints will field a young girls’ cross country team, but they hope to continue to build and improve the squad this year.

University Cougars

Players to watch: Samantha Badami, who posted the Lady Cougars’ best time at last year’s district championship, is expected to return as a senior this year. Fellow senior Anna Duran Angel should also be back, as well as juniors Sarah Tran and Andrea Jimenez.

Outlook: The girls’ cross country team at University ranked at No. 4 at last year’s Class 4A, District 4 title meet, but limped to a 16th-place finish at regionals. With proper off-season conditioning and some expert advice from Coach Penny Rohleder, they could go further this year.

West Orange Warriors

Players to watch: Megan Hannah and Rania Benbrahim posted the 1st- and 3rd-best times overall at last year’s district match, and they’ll be back as a junior and a senior, respectively, this season. Other members of last year’s squad who are eligible to return include junior Haley Moffett, senior De’Leah Lath and senior Madison Tharp.

Outlook: West Orange had a great 2015 under Coach Chris Boston, including claiming 1st place at last year’s Class 4A, District 3 competition. Coming in 4th at regionals had to have stung, though, so look for returning members to work hard during the summer to improve their standing this season.

Winter Park Wildcats

Players to watch: Rafaella Gibbons led Winter Park to victory at districts, regionals and state, and she’ll be back as a junior this year. Also set to return are senior Hana Herndon, junior Melanie White, senior Elizabeth Jenkins and sophomore Jennifer Coddington.

Outlook: The Lady Wildcats had no complaints about last season, which saw them take 1st place at Class 4A’s District 4, Region 1 and state competitions. With so many members of that squad set to return, a repeat is certainly doable with proper mentoring from Coach Kristin McWilliams

Winter Springs’ Girls Cross Country (photo by Allison Petro)

Winter Springs Bears

Players to watch: Among returning runners, Jaina Hawkins posted the Lady Bears’ best time at Class 4A’s District 2 and Region 1 competitions, and she should be even better as a senior. Also expected back are senior Madison Arterburn and junior Katelyn Gomrad.

Outlook: Winter Springs didn’t win any titles last year, but they came close, ranking at No. 3 in district play and at No. 4 at regionals. They did lose a couple of key runners to graduation after last season, but expect to see them back in contention for both championships again this year.