Sellers, last year's All-Area Male Cross-Country Runner of the Year, is the area's most notable loss, but the likes of Crescenta Valley, Flintridge Prep and La Cañada seem poised for big years — whether on the boys side, girls side or both.
The Falcons girls' team is loaded with five of its seven runners returning from Fresno.
"That's great experience," said Crescenta Valley Coach Mark Evans, whose three-time reigning Pacific League champions earned a state berth for the first time in program history. "They believe in themselves, they believe in what they can do. It's a whole different outlook and a whole different expectation."
That expectation is driven by two-time Pacific League champion Shelby Pock, last year's All-Area Female Runner of the Year. Pock, a senior, will be hard-pressed for a three-peat, with junior teammates Rachel Lange and Claire Collison, the Pacific League track and field champion in the 800- and 1,600-meter races, hot on her heels.
"She will definitely be challenged," Evans said of Pock. "It's hard, I can't take sides, I want them all to win."
Evans is also looking for big things from returning sophomores Michelle Callister and Rachelle Blinoff-Mudd.
On the boys' side of things, Evans boasts a front-running trio of juniors Mike Sheridan and Eric Kleinsasser, as well as sophomore Zack Torres.
"All of them have put in a great summer," Evans said. "They're running well."
Still, Arcadia is the favorite to repeat as league champs. The addition of Burroughs, which shared the Foothill League title last year, and Burbank to the Pacific League will figure to make it more difficult.
"Arcadia is going to be the team to beat in league," Evans said. "We're not gonna give them a league title, though, they're gonna have to earn it."
In the Rio Hondo League, La Cañada's boys' team is likely the team to beat.
