El Modena

Coach: Tom Weber (22nd year) and John Ahearn (16th year).

1995: Fifth in State Division III, Southern Section Division III-AA champion, third in Century League finals, 4-1 league dual-meet record.

Key returners: Tim Allen, Sr.; Zach Amos, Sr.; Ben Handler, Sr.; David Manell, Sr.; Gabe Mejia, So.

Key newcomers: Mike Allen, So.; Nick Beckman, Sr.; Scott Dicus, Sr.; Joe Gulo, Sr.; David Lacher, Fr.; Mark Suarez, Jr.; Adam Takayama, Sr.

Outlook: Last season, the boys’ and girls’ team became the first to win section titles in both races for the second consecutive year. The Vanguards are one of the county’s most consistent teams each year and return five of their top seven runners, led by seniors Zach Amos and Tim Allen. Amos (4:27.8 for 1,600 meters) was sixth in the league finals race, followed closely by Allen in ninth. Mejia was one of the county’s elite freshmen a year ago and Manell was third at the league track finals at 800 meters. Handler was the sixth man for the Vanguards at the state finals last fall.