The rundown on 12 boys’ and girls’ cross-country standouts to follow in Eastern Mass.

Silas Gartner was one of two MIAA runners to reach Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego last year and he's back to lead Falmouth this fall. Jim Davis for The Boston Globe

Boys

John Bianchi, Natick — The senior headlines one of the Division 1 preseason favorites, coming off a junior campaign in which he placed second at the Division 1B meet and eighth at the D1 championship.

Silas Gartner, Falmouth — He tore through Division 2 competition last season and was one of two MIAA runners to reach Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego, where he finished 36th.

Liam Hartman, Brookline — Next in line to lead the three-time defending D1 champions, he broke out as a sophomore last year to finish fourth at the Bay State Championships and 15th at the D1 All-State meet.

Greg McGrath, BC High — One of the state’s top runners as a junior, he won the Division 1A meet, finished fifth at the Div. 1 Meet of Champions, and was 15th at Foot Locker Regionals.

Mason Niles has been on of Billerica's top runners since he was in eighth grade. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Mason Niles, Billerica — As a freshman last fall, Niles won the D1C race and finished 19th at the D1 Meet of Champions, and followed with standout indoor and outdoor track campaigns.

Patrick Noonan, Lexington — After bursting onto the scene as a freshman in 2023, he continued his ascension last year with an eighth-place finish at the D1A meet and an 18th place finish at the D1 championship.

Girls

Janie Conrad, Lexington — The sophomore is primed to take another leap, after placing seventh at the Div. 1 Meet of Champions and 17th at Nike Regionals last fall.

DEVENS, MA - 11/16/2024: Needham’s Greta Hammer pulled ahead in the third lap to win the Girls 5000m D1 race during the MIAA Division 1-3 cross-country state championship at Fort Devens on Nov. 16, 2024. (Taylor Coester for The Boston Globe)Taylor Coester for The Boston Globe

Greta Hammer, Needham — The reigning Globe Division 1 Athlete of the Year comes off a shining junior campaign in which she broke the course record in a dominant triumph at the D1 championship and placed second at Nike Regionals.

Abby Hennessy, Westford — She enters her senior season with plenty of momentum after shattering the state record in the mile during the outdoor track season. Her junior cross-country season was cut short due to injury, but not before she claimed the Ocean State Invitational.

Gianna McGowan, Billerica — The junior stamped herself as one of the state’s top runners last fall, culminating in a win at the D1C meet and a runner-up finish at the D1 championship.

Westford Academy’s Abigail Hennessy (left) and Wellesley’s Charlotte Tuxbury will be battling it out this fall.Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe

Maddie Tuxbury, Wellesley — She erupted onto the scene as a freshman last season, finishing fourth at the D1B meet and 15th at the D1 championship.

Emily Wedlake, Westford — The senior took on a leading role after the injury to Hennessy, finishing fifth at Division 1 All-States to lift the Ghosts to the state title.