Preseason Girls #12: Norwell
This season the clippers return five of their top seven from last fall after winning the Division 3A race. Freshmen Katherine Murray won that race and was third at the Meet of Champions and boasts a 18:26 5K PR.
Preseason Boys #13: Longmeadow
After winning the Meet of Champions Division 2 race and graduating their top three runners, one would think Longmeadow was poised for a down year. Maybe they thought they were two, but the ascension of some of their younger runners may get them back on the podium.
Preseason Girls #13: Hamilton-Wenham Regional
Last year the Generals won Division 3 at the Meet of Champions with a team that was almost entirely underclassmen. Last fall they featured one of the state’s best duos in Grace Rich and Asa Labell.
Preseason Boys #14: Newton North
Newton North is another strong team built on depth. With four runners coming back under 17 and another two just over, they have a lot of upside heading into the fall. If someone can make a big jump this season at their number one spot, they could climb the rankings as well.
Preseason Girls #14: Weymouth
When a team graduates its top four runners from the previous season, the expectations the following year are typically low. That’s not the case with this Weymouth squad for 2025. After a phenomenal freshman season, Sonia Souto will look to lower her 19:33 5K PR and join the top ranks of runners in the state.
Preseason Boys #15: The Bromfield School
The Bromfield School has a long history of Cross-Country success, and they return their entire top seven from their team that finished second at the Division 3C meet last year. Their top 5 has a spread from 17:17 down to 15:56.
Preseason Girls #15: Oliver Ames
The defending Hockomock League Champs come back strong for the 2025 season. The Tigers have a strong front runner in Iole Apostoli who comes in with a 18:47 PR for 5K from the Bob Glennon Twilight Meet.
Preseason Boys #16: Billerica
Billerica may be the most interesting team in the Bay State. They return the second fastest miler in the state and one of the fastest freshmen in the country in Shane Leslie and Mason Niles. Technically neither is their top XC returnee based off time.
Preseason Girls #16: Bishop Feehan
Bishop Feehan was fourth in the Division 1C race last season and return six of their top 7. That squad was able to qualify for the Meet of Champions and will bring that experience into next season. Up front Sophie Shaw and Ally Oram will lead the way.
Preseason Boys #17: Amherst Pelham Regional
If all goes well, Amherst-Pelham could emerge as the top team out of Western Mass next season. A few squads farther down our list will have something to say about that, but after a strong outdoor season, Amherst-Pelham will look to make a lot of noise this fall.