1. North Central: The Panthers return a strong nucleus from last year's state runner-up. Kyla Buckley placed second in the shot put, Camille Edwards fourth in the 100-meter hurdles and 17th in the long jump, Leigha Tolliver fourth in the long jump and sixth in the 300 hurdles, Verena Vogle seventh in the 800, and Emily Mossler reached the state meet in the 3,200. Coach Roger Girtz also will rely on sprinters Rachel Gregory, Jayla Lane (who also does the high jump) and Ashley Quarles.

2. Lawrence Central: Coach Tim Richey returns a strong nucleus, has a good group of freshmen and added sprinter Sharise Logwood, a move-in from Texas who has run the 100 in 12.0 seconds. Returning are state champion pole vaulter Margo Tucker; Lauren Cowden, seventh in the long jump; and Camille Hayes, seventh in the high jump but who will be slowed early in the season by a gymnastics injury. Sprinter Nieisha Minor and thrower Taja Moore also will contribute.

3. Pike: The Red Devils' Erica Campbell and Lauren Ford are two of the top sprinters in the state. They also give Pike strong relay teams with help from Jailyn Henderson, Mia Prince and Morgan Yeadon.

4. Park Tudor: Hannah Farley launched the Panthers into the state's consciousness by winning the past three 400 titles at the state meet and placed second in the 200 last year. Her sister, Abby, took fifth in the 800. Coach Ryan Ritz believes his team has the depth, with Constance Lee, to be competitive in the relays.

5. Lawrence North: The Wildcats placed third in the state meet last season. They return 300 hurdle champion Stacia Weatherford; Weatherford and Ahlivia and Ashley Spencer are back from the state champion 1,600 relay team; and Valerie Hawkins and Khystyn Tender return from the fifth-place 400 relay team.

6. Bishop Chatard: The Trojans won the 1A-3A division of the Hoosier State Relays and return a nucleus that can build on that in the outdoor season. Alex Metzger, 10th in pole vault in the state meet last year, and Carly Sobolewski, third in the 3,200, are the top returners. Maggie Bell, Kourtney Crawford, Marianne Holland, Paige Laconi and Bridget Tasker give Bishop Chatard a strong contingent of sprinters. Emily Boyce, Mary Davis, Angela Nebesny and Christen Salyer are expected to contribute in the distance events.

7. Brebeuf Jesuit: Molly Winters (1,600) is the only returning athlete with state meet experience, but coach Marty Hill is excited about his team's potential. Winters leads a talented group of distance runners that includes Laura Appelt, Michelle Pottratz, Nicole Schutzman and Rachel Whitman. Joie Hand has been to the state meet on relays and is the team's top 200 and 400 runner. Top hurdler Ten Malone and Winters give Brebeuf the solid nucleus of a 1,600 relay team. In the field events, Chloe Holewinski (long jump) and Mary Willard (high jump) are expected to contribute.

8. Cathedral: The Irish will be led by Katy Achtien, who reached the state meet in the 1,600 and 3,200 last season, and Paige Mason, an 800 runner. Other returning letter winners are Lauren Buchanan, Katie Cleary, Chatara Edwards, Siobhan Glass, Katie Gordan, Stephanie Israel, Maggie Johns, Elizabeth Maurath, Paige Prior, Erin Ratterman, Melissa Schopper, Kelly Shew, Katie Smith and Tarasae Stancil. Newcomers who could have an effect include Madison Berry, Sara Conway, Briana Glass, Lauren Gray, Sarah Jensen, Olivia Johnson, Katie Quigley and Lauren Williams.

9. Broad Ripple: The Rockets return nearly everyone from the 2008 roster, led by a 400 relay team of Arika Casey, Shay Porter, Desiree Reese and Ashley Sanders that reached the state meet as juniors. Sanders (100), Casey (200) and Starr Garrett (shot put) should contribute, and coach Eric Beebe expects help in the field events from the freshman class.

10. Heritage Christian: The Eagles have a talented group of freshmen and sophomores, led by Rebecca Reutman (200, 400), joining seniors Bria Cooley (long jump) and Erin Gallo (hurdles). The 1,600-meter relay team -- with two freshmen and two sophomores -- placed third in the 1A-3A division of the Hoosier State Relays.

11. International: Amanda McMahon reached semistates in cross-country and set a school record when she placed third in the 3,200 in the 1A-3A division of the Hoosier State Relays. Nicki Inman returns as the school record holder in the 400 and 800.

12. Arlington: Coach James Adams took over last year and said the program started at ground zero. The team's goal is to compete for the Indianapolis Public Schools Athletic Conference championship, led by returning sophomore Shelby Barids (800, 1,600) and newcomer Ashley Brown, a basketball player who is expected to compete in the 800.

--- Nat Newell