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Note: Projections are almost entirely based on best times, or adjusted, on the Saratoga State Park Course. Any new runners or frosh runners that have never run varsity are not included and can be a factor in some teams' scores. This especially plays out more on the girls side than the boys. Races that have already been run this season have not been considered.

Girls: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D

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Girls Class A

What to looks for: Saratoga Springs is the preseason #1 in the state and country and will be the favorite to repeat but their depth has taken a hit from graduation and will need to get the fifth closer to theit fourth runner to repeat as state champions. Bethlehem is a solid second as they return almost everyone from last year and is in the top four in the state in preseason previews, though they will have a tough time overtaking Saratoga for the sectional title. Shaker has a solid top two but need to rest of the team to close the gap to them if they want to challenge Bethlehem for second place. Shenendehowa shows that their close from their runners from last year but have lost their top three runners that were projected to return, but with the depth they usually have they can still challenge for the fourth and maybe the third spot. Individually, Saratoga's Emily Bush returns with the best time and finished second in the state meet last year. She looks to be the favorite but any one of her teammates to step in for the title. Bethlehem's Rylee Davis has the best returning time from non Saratoga runners with Ballston Spa's Harriet Healey and Niskayuna's Mary Cestaro right behind her.

Girls Class B

What to looks for: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake have won the last seven Class B titles but were hit hard by graduation and their numbers are lower than in previous years. This means it could be time for a new name on top of the Class B team scores. Right now it's a statistical tie between Scotia-Glenville and Mohonasen for the title with their number six runners only separated by one spot. There will be a lot of jostling in the middle of the pack between these two teams to determine the winner. My concern with Mohonasen is the health of defending champion Rachel Miller since she did not run indoor or outdoor last year. If she's back to top health then it should be a heck of a fight between the two. Queensbury has a solid top two but need more depth if they want to challenge the top two teams for the title.  Burnt Hills lost a lot but it's tough to leave them out of any discussion for the title. Individually, Mohonasen's Rachel Miller is the returning champion has has almost a 30 second gap on the field. We'll just have to see how her fitness is after not running in indoor or outdoor track. If Miller isn't 100% then look for Burnt Hills' Mia Paolino and Queensbury's Maddie Powers to battle it out. Both are the other two runners in Class B that were under 19 minutes.

Girls Class C

  What to looks for: Voorheesville is the defending champion but moves down to Class D. This puts last year's runner-up Broadalbin-Perth into the favorite spot. They have a solid top two and much better depth returning than the rest of the Class C teams and that depth gives them a big edge. Schuylerville looks to be the second best team returning with a good top two but need their third through fifth runners to close the gap  by a lot if they want to challenge for the title. Albany Academy and Coxsackie-Athens are right behind them but both also have depth issues that need to be corrected if they want to challenge for a top two spot. Individually, last year's runner-up, Albany Academy's Erin Boler, is a huge favorite to win the title. She is well over a minute better than the rest of the field and they will have a tough time closing the gap on her. Schuylerville's Megan Vianese has the second best returning time.

Girls Class D

What to looks for: Berlin/New Lebanon is the defending Class D champion but last year's Class C champion, Voorheesville, moves down to Class D and is a big favorite to take the title and possibly a state title. Voorheesville has three in the top six and have much better depth than any other school in Class D.  Berlin/New Lebanon is a solid number, two bringing back most of last year's championship team but need more depth from their fifth runner if they want to challenge Voorheesville. Maple Hill looks to be third but will have a hard time catching Berlin/New Lebanon for the runner-up spot. As always with the smaller schools, it comes down to which teams have the best depth. Individually, Voorheesville's Mariem Sayahi win the Class C title last year and is a huge favorite for the Class D crown as she is more than a minute ahead of the rest of field. Hoosic Valley's Sophia Squires, Berlin/New Lebanon's Allura Metzinger, and Fort Plain/Canajoharie's Olivia Schaffer were a few seconds apart from each other last year and will battle it out for the runner-up spot behind Sayahi.