Division I Trumbull District

Hudson Hudson University boys, Kenston boys, Kenston girls

Hudson’s boys team is ranked No. 2 in the state coaches poll. The Explorers girls team is ranked No. 6 in D-I. Hudson appears primed to defend its district title on both sides . ... University’s Justin Iler is one of the state’s top runners and a favorite to place high at the state meet in Hebron next month. At Trumbull last year, Ben Chao made his debut with the Preppers and helped them qualify for the regional meet. Coach Jack Somers is confident the Preppers can at least accomplish the same this postseason and compete with Hudson at Trumbull . ... Jakob McConnell and Kyle Silk lead a Kenston team in search of its third straight state trip. The Bombers were the runner-up to Hudson last season . ... Kenston sophomore Ellie Pleune and senior Kathryn Taylor should compete for regional qualifications in the girls race. The Bombers were ninth in the girls team standings at Trumbull last year.

Division II Madison District

Notre DameCathedral Latin

Chagrin Falls Lake Catholic boys, Benedictine boys, West Geauga boys, Perry girls, West Geauga girls

Chagrin Falls’ girls team has been a fixture in Hebron the last few seasons and the district meet is when coach Clay Burnett’s teams usually round into prime form. Catherine Coffey has assumed Annie Zimmer’s spot as the Tigers’ No. 1 runner, followed by Hannah Clark. ... NDCL’s boys team returns to Madison to defend its district title. The Lions are ranked No. 13 in the state and appear to be a favorite again. No. 1 runner Cal Yackin returned to NDCL’s lineup at the North Coast League meet Oct. 13. He and classmate Augie King have been to Hebron the past two years . ... Alex Hansel broke out at last year’s

district meet, beginning a postseason in which he helped Lake Catholic’s boys team advance to the state meet. The Cougars have three sophomores on their roster who ran for them at Hebron last year, namely Gabriel DeMitro and Neil Jones . ... Anthony Sweet notched a number of top 10 finishes for Benedictine this season and should qualify for a regional berth . ... John Patterson and Kenneth Kirk can score in the single-digits for West Geauga, which would go a long way toward the Wolverines advancing to Boardman . ... Perry’s Hailey Vitolo helped the Pirates earn a team berth to Boardman last season. She should at least secure an individual qualification this season. ... Freshmen Julia Martinez and Skye Hackathorn have led West Geauga’s girls team to a handful of top team finishes, notably a team title at McDonough. Their strong debut seasons should continue at the regional level.

Division II Trumbull District

Garrettsville Hawken Berkshire boys, Hawken boys

Ella Gilson has compiled an alltime season for Hawken this season. She and her team are formidable candidates to finish at the top of the podium in Hebron Nov. 3. The Hawks are ranked No. 8 in the state coaches poll. Gilson recorded the area’s top girls time this year, and she’s flanked by Juliana Metz and Julia Newman in coach Chris Farroni’s lineup. Hawken may claim the first three places of the girls race . ... Tyler Klouda is one of the state’s top runners, and he led Garrettsville to the boys team title at Trumbull last season . ... Berkshire won the CVC Valley title last week. Sam Adams and Robert O’Conke lead the Badgers’ top five. They will push for individual regional berths . ... Michael Snyder leads Hawken’s scoring five and is in line for an individual qualification.

Division II Lorain Community College

Bay Beaumont

Beaumont is ranked No. 3 in the D-II girls coaches poll. Mia Mlynek’s emerged as an elite No. 1 runner, flanked by fellow sophomore Addison Ciecierski and senior Ashley Rulison. Mlynek and Ciecierski advanced to the 2017 state meet as freshmen. They, alongside Rulison, can finish among the top 10 in nearly any field. Carly Perusek is the No. 4 in the Blue Streaks’ lineup this year after she ran on Hawken’s girls team last year, which placed fifth at the D-II state meet . ... Bay is ranked No. 3 in the D-II boys poll.

Division III Medina District

Gilmour Gilmour

The Lancers swept team titles at Medina Caravan Elementary last season and are primed to do the same this year. The girls team is ranked No. 2 in the state and the boys No. 8 in the D-III coaches poll. Katie Engle embarks on her quest for a fourth state berth. Gilmour’s No. 1 runner leads a group that includes Caitrina Barton, Jorja Hlifka and a scoring five filled with state experience. Freshman Mary Lombardo entrenched herself in the Lancers’ top five during the regular season. Tim Diemer, Tyler Clark and Connor Gerspacher lead an equally-experienced boys team that will also compete into November.

Division III Trumbull District

McDonald McDonald Villa Angela-St. Joseph boys, Berkshire girls

McDonald swept district titles at Trumbull a year ago. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 6 in the D-III boys poll and No. 11 in the girls rankings . ... B.K. Kwasniak compiled one of the area’s best freshman campaigns for VASJ and will vie for an individual qualification. The opportunity exists for the Vikings’ boys team to advance to Boardman . ... Madison Romask seeks a return to the D-III state meet. The junior finished third at Trumbull last season.