Preseason Boys #6: Reading
Reading matches up well with anyone on this list and may be the dark horse for the 2025 season. They have a standout up front in Tim Connolly, the top returner from the blazing fast Middlesex League Meet last year with a PR of 15:10. He’s joined by four more runners from that same team that finished runner up to one of the few remaining teams on this list.
Preseason Girls #6: Newton North
Newton North comes in at the sixth spot with four runners returning under 20 Minutes for 5K. They were fifth last year in the Division 1A race and should improve on that this fall. They’ve got a top contender in the lead with Maggie Abely. She’s coming off a strong outdoor season where she ran 5:04.
Preseason Boys #7: Saint John’s Prep
Saint John’s Prep may not have the firepower up front as some of the other contenders on our list, but they make up for it with strength of pack. Top returner Liam Mahoney is the only runner with a sub 16 PR to his name, but from two to seven they have a spread of 16:18 to 16:47.
Preseason Girls #7: Westwood
Last we saw Westwood they were winning the 4x800m at the Meet of Champions in a blistering 9:17. Unfortunately for their competition, that entire squad returns and will be running this fall. They also return six of the seven runners that won the Division 2 race at the Meet of Champions last November. That quartet from the 4×800 along with incoming sophomore Ciara Chi will make up the top 5 for a strong Westwood team that should contend all season long.
Preseason Boys #8: Boston College High School
Last year’s runner up at the Meet of Champions Division 1 Race comes in at the eighth spot. Up front they’re led by Division 1’s top returner, and arguably, number one overall, Greg McGrath. After a strong indoor and outdoor season where he ran 9:06, McGrath will be fighting for the individual title at the front of the race.
Preseason Girls #8: Central Catholic
Central Catholic is perhaps the most interesting team on our rankings. They return a strong squad led by Lila Christy, 19:26, and Rachel Asasira, 19:36, up front. As a freshmen last season, Calista King was right there with them, running 20:06 at the Meet of Champions.
Preseason Boys #9: Groton-Dunstable
Groton-Dunstable returns five of their top seven from last season and managed to land in our top ten. They won the Division 2B race last season and are poised to do the same in 2025. Up front they have one of the strongest 1-2 punches in the state with Greyson Duane and Andrew Kosiba.
Bay State Running’s Parent’s Guide to the 2025 Cross Country Season
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Introducing Bay State Running’s Parent’s Guide to Cross Country
Preseason Girls #9: Wellesley
Perennial power Wellesley cracks out top ten to start the season. After narrowly winning the Bay State Conference in 2024, they’re led this year by star duo Emma and Madeline Tuxbury. Both ran under 19:00 minutes at the conference meet last season to help top Needham.
Preseason Boys #10: Parker Charter Essential
Parker Charter returns four of their top seven from a squad that scored 25 points at the Division 3C meet last year and 52 at the Meet of Champions. They won both and could be even better this year. They’ve got almost everything you need to be a top contender throughout the Bay State.