At a glance

GSL boys

Defending league champion: Mead

Defending state champion: Ferris

Impact returnees: Laef Barnes, senior, Mead (regional champion and state 3rd place); Michael Skansgaard sr., Gonzaga Prep; Ben Poffenroth sr., and Brendan Chestnut, junior, Ferris; Justin Hofstee, sr., Lewis and Clark; Ryan Gustafson, sr., Rogers; Mike Hartanov, jr., Mt. Spokane.

Predicted order of finish: Ferris, Mead, North Central, LC, Mt. Spokane, West Valley, University, Central Valley, Shadle Park, G-Prep, Cheney, East Valley, Rogers, Clarkston.

Outlook: Except for Barnes, a state title favorite, this is the most uncertain season in recent memory in the GSL. Of the league’s returning runners only Barnes finished among the top 25 at the State 4A meet. Poffenroth and Skansgaard, however, are among the state’s top dozen returning placers. The Saxons bring back five members of their state title team and are ranked No. 1 in preseason. Mead’s hopes of returning to the podium reside in its sophomore class. North Central, with six returnees from its sixth-place regional finisher and ranked No. 1 in preseason, will make waves at 3A. “It’s been a long, frustrating 10 years where we’ve come three or four points short of making it,” said Indians coach Jon Knight. “Now it feels like we’ve got a legitimate shot. It makes for a little fairer playing field when it comes to regionals.”

GSL girls

Defending league champion: Mt. Spokane, 5th in State 4A. West Valley was regional 3A champion, 6th in state.

Impact returnees: Megan O’Reilly, jr., (3rd at state), Mt. Spokane; Becca Noble, sr., Rogers (9th in state); Anna Layman, jr., CV; Shiloh Deitz, sr., Mt. Spokane; Whitney Porter, sr., LC; Jenny Smith, sr., Mt. Spokane; Stephanie Whittaker, sr., NC.

Predicted order of finish: Mt. Spokane, Mead, U-Hi, Shadle, WV, LC, NC, CV, Ferris, G-Prep, Cheney, EV, Rogers, Clarkston.

Outlook: With its entire lineup back, the Wildcats are favored to win a third consecutive title. It remains to be seen if they can overhaul Snohomish or Bellarmine Prep for the state title. Mead and Shadle are veteran teams and U-Hi has its typical numbers to provide league challenges. NC, with six returnees, can be a 3A postseason factor.

GNL boys

Defending league champion: Riverside, district champion and 5th in state.

Impact returnees: Scott Traynor, sr., (11th, State 2A), David Jacob and Brian Jacob, all Medical Lake; Pawel Szafruga, Pullman; Tex Perez, Colville; Talon Sullens, Riverside.

Predicted order of finish: Medical Lake, Riverside, Colville, Pullman, Chewelah, Lakeside, Deer Park.

Outlook: Based on numbers of returnees and their district finish, Medical Lake has to be favored. But don’t count out Riverside, which owns this sport. Colville has its core back from last year.

GNL girls

Defending league champion: Riverside (district champions, 2nd in state).

Impact returnees: Katie Campbell, sr., DP (district champion, 4th in state); Mercedes Wilson, sr., and Brittney Williams, sophmore, Colville; Ali Nelson, jr., and Alyssa Nelson, jr., ML; Beth Mathison, jr., and Kaarin Swanson, soph., Pullman.

Predicted order of finish: Riverside, DP, Pullman, ML, Colville, Lakeside, Chewelah.

Outlook: While everyone has three solid runners, it will be depth that wins out. The Rams have a way of finding it and DP has its whole team back.

1A/B

Defending district champion: Northwest Christian (boys) and St. George’s (girls).

Impact returnees: Kysa Cronrath, jr., Odessa (state champion); Jenny Knezovich, soph., Reardan (4th in state); Kirsten Fix, sr., and Cordelia Revells, jr., St. George’s.

Outlook: Cronrath missed last spring’s state meet because of injury, but is back to defend her state title. Knezovich, the State B 800 champion, will challenge. St. George’s, with its entire team back, was third at state and, ranked preseason No. 1, will contend again. “We’re all back and pretty healthy, so I would say we’re a favorite for district,” said St. George’s coach James Johnson. “But I know Odessa has its three big guns from last year and at least one new freshman.” With most of the boys impact runners graduated, Reardan and Lake Roosevelt are the most experienced of the district’s boys teams.