The high school boys track season is under way, and northern Indianapolis is loaded. Here is a ranking of the area teams and a list of the top performers in each event.

1. Lawrence Central:The Bears placed seventh in the state last year and lost only one individual scorer. Geoff Davis (third in high jump) and Zach Saunders (third in pole vault) lead a strong field contingent, and some younger athletes - including sophomores Connor Claflin and Michael Steele will contribute.

2. North Central: Some figured Barry Wilkins would win the 800-meter run at last year's state meet, but he placed fourth, so he's motivated. The Panthers also return Justin Boone (hurdles, long jump), Connor Geshay (distance), Charlie Marr(400), and Khyran Shank (sprints, long jump), with cross-country standouts brothers Futsum and Bahlebi Zeinasellassie added to the mix.

3. Pike: The Red Devils placed fifth in the state last season, but five of their seven individual state qualifiers graduated. They have a talented nucleus led by distance running brothersMichael and Craig Jordan, sprinters Sylvester Dunn, Darnell Harris, Troy Smith and Andre Cureton.

4. Cathedral:The Irish return the most individual state meet qualifiers from last year with Hale O-Herren (1600), Allen Richardson(300 hurdles), and Larry Steele (long jump). Joe Greenwell(hurdles), J.R. Ricker (distance) and Stevie Wilson (long jump) also have significant postseason esperience. Freshmen Graham Reid (pole valut) and Tre Roby (sprinter) will help, with senior Jimmy Kervan (400) providing leadership.

5. Lawrence North:The Wildcats placed second in the 2008 state meet. Logan Bagby, Trae Heeter, Josh Roche and Nick Salupo form a strong 3,200 relay team, and Kory Stamps will compete in the long jump and sprints.

6. Brebeuf Jesuit: The Braves are one of the top non-Class 4A programs in the state, returning sprinter Kadeem Hunter, who won the 55-meter dash in the 1A-3A division of the Hooseir State Relays; long jumper Jeffrey McClure; high jumper Jeremy McClure; and sprinter Matt Mc Carroll. Jason Hoard was the only freshman to compete in the state meet's 3,200 and leads a deep distance running crew. Josh Lofton is the team's top thrower.

7. Bishop Chatard: The Trojans return nine varsity athletes, led by Chris Mark, Braylon Parham and Jackson Webber. Coach Sean McGinley also has baseball player Shawn Nickleson, who won the 1A-3A long jump at the Hoosier State Relays; Daniel Hurrle, who won the 1A-3A high jump; and thrower Zach Martin who will play football at Notre Dame.

8. Park Tudor: Hannah Farley has put the Panthers on the map in girls track, and coach Ryan Ritz sees a benefit in the boys believing they can compete on a state level, too. Henry Farley, Hannah's brother, made regionals in the 800, Kyle Marks placed third in the 3,200 in 1A-3A Hoosier State Relays, and Trent Mervine reached regionals in the 400. Ritz believes the team has the depth to be competitive in relays as well.

9. Heritage Christian:The Eagles never have had a regional quialfier, but James Houck has a good chance to end that drought in the 400 ...and he may not be the only one. Joseph Hockett (hurdles), Taylor Story (freshman shcool record in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200) and , Nick Thompson (800) also return.

10. Arlington: First-year coach Reggie Cross will rely on sprinter James Sharp and distance runner Steven Todd, his two seniors.
Brian Johnson, who played quarterback for the football team, will run track for the first time and is expected to be competitive in the sprints.

11. International: Noah Droddy (3,200) could become the school's first regional quilifier after reaching semi-states in cross country and placing 14th in the 1A-3A indoor state meet. Sophomore Graham Jonesis a long sprinter and relay runner, while freshman Mitchell Broughton is a sprinter and long jumper.

--- Nat Newell