FORSYTH CENTRAL

Head coach: Greg Parker.

Key returners: Max Warner, so.; Will Scott, sr.

Key newcomers: Reese Mitchell, Ryan Wilkins, Joseph Rank, Wesley Bacastow

Outlook: "[Central] will be a sophomore laden class this year with possibly only two upper classmen in the mix, due to the strong freshmen last year," Parker said. "The varsity returners have put in a lot of miles and hard work over the summer and anything less than a state qualifying season will be a disappointment. I believe we will have one of the better teams in the county, but unfortunately due to region realignments we don’t compete against each other as much."

LAMBERT

Head coach: Natalie Leonard.

Key returners: Noah Schaich, sr.; Conner Lacks, sr.; Nathan Whitesel, sr.; Hank Grogan, jr.

Key newcomers: Leonard said she wasn’t ready to give names.

Outlook: "Would love to make state," Leonard said.

NORTH FORSYTH

Head coach: Brad Kudlas.

Key returners: Ben Cochran, jr.; Chase McFarling, sr.; Aaron Bohan, sr.; Nick Jacobson, sr.; Chris Cooper, sr.; Brady Roose, sr.; Ben Strube, sr.

Key newcomers: Saul Renteria.

Outlook: "Our goal is to make state," Kudlas said. "The margin for error is slim because of our region being so tough. For the team to succeed this year, it will have to be a team effort. We don’t really have that top-5 finisher this year. We have a great core of runners that when they work together can get the job done, but it will take all seven."

PINECREST ACADEMY

Head coach: Luisa Zalzman.

Key returners: Garrett Ruf, Grant Mulac, Cris Gilligan.

Key newcomers: Simon Cassar, Dominic Piron.

Outlook: "I have a very young team this year, but I expect them to place well at region and maybe have at least one go to state."

SOUTH FORSYTH

Head coach: Van Munn.

Key returners: Ryan Peppenhorst, jr.; Reed Vaughn, jr.; Jake Howlin, sr.

Key newcomers: Matthew Patterson, Luke Francis.

Outlook: "Our team goal is a top-10 finish at the state meet," Munn said. "I believe we’ll need a team average of about 17:30 on the state course to reach this goal. We should have at least four strong runners. We need three or four more guys to meet the challenge of running under 18:00 minutes."

WEST FORSYTH

Head coach: Clayton Tillery.

Key returners: Brett Gammon, sr.; Daniel Sexton, jr.; Brian Skoglind, jr.

Key newcomer: John Green, so.

Outlook: Tillery thinks this season could go much like last, maybe even better. That is to say, the Wolverines might take some time to develop but could be ready to surprise teams come time for the region championship meet in early November. Gammon, Sexton and Skoglind provide a strong core of talent and experience for West to build on. "I have an idea of what we can do," Tillery said. "If we can do what I think we can do, it’s going to be a pretty good year."