Cony coach Jon Millett is still living off the high his girls swim team provided by winning a second straight state championship a couple of months ago. He could pull off a rare double as his track team is gearing up for a run at a possible title this spring.

A championship became more of a possibility when the Rams dropped to Class B this year. Coupled with some proven returnees and a group of talented newcomers, a conference championship and possible state title are realistic goals.

“I am very confident in this group,” Millett said. “It’s there for the taking.”

Many of his track competitors were part of his swim team, including senior Tara Jorgensen (800, 1600) and junior Gabby Low (shot put, javelin). Zina Gregoire (sprints), Anne Marie Towle (racewalk) and Gabby Benson (discus) also return after successful seasons. Incoming talent includes freshman twins Julia and Anna Reny and Tessa and Amanda Jorgensen, who are among a group of newcomers expected to contribute.

Erskine’s Kaylee Porter would like a shot at the state record in the 800. After winning the event her freshman and sophomore years, she lost by two seconds to Mount Desert Island’s Tia Tardy, who set a Class B state record. Tardy has graduated and Porter would like nothing better than to break her record this spring.

Erskine should fare well in general with Sophie Taylor (pole vault, hurdles) leading a strong group of returnees.

“There’s a lot of talent and athleticism on the girls side,” coach David Currier said.

Sarah Cox will look for a second straight state title in the shot put and to defend her Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference title in the discus while leading Waterville this year. Coach Ted Brown is confident the Purple Panthers will be in the running for other individual and team accolades.

“We have all-conference potential in every event group,” he said.

Lawrence lost some firepower from last year’s KVAC runner-up, but a strong indoor season suggests the Bulldogs could make some noise this spring. Junior Ainsley Day (discus) and sophomore Cheyenne Poulin (pole vault) are candidates for breakout seasons.

“They have a chance to bring the school its second girls conference title,” coach Tim Alberts said.

While not the title hopeful the boys are, the Winslow girls have a promising team led by hurdler and high jumper Megan Bernard and junior speedster Karli Warn.

“I haven’t seen (Warn) put it down yet, but I can’t wait,” coach Ken Nadeau said. “Putting her on a varsity track is going to be fun to see.”

Down from Class A, Mt. Blue will seek to improve on last year’s ninth-place showing in KVACs and 25th-place effort in the state meet. Marah Black (third, 100), Kathryn Cullenberg (fourth, 800), Julia Hatch (fourth, racewalk) and Laura Gunter (fifth, shot put) had top-five showings at the KVACs last year.

Up from Class C, MCI brings back Class C shot put champion and KVAC runner-up Christa Carr, as well as KVAC triple jump runner-up Victoria Friend. Nokomis will be led by 2 miler Emily Eastman after a strong indoor season.

CLASS A

KVAC high jump and triple jump champion Leah Savage returns to lead Skowhegan, which is eager to compete for a conference title. Shannon Richards (200), Carey Lee (javelin) and Tatumn Parker (shot put) also took top-five finishes at the KVACs.

Messalonskee finished second by a half a point at last year’s KVACs, which should provide motivation for the Eagles.

“We’re definitely better positioned,” coach Matt Holman said. “I think our goal is to be pushing for a conference championship.”

Emma Wentworth will play a starring role after racing to a conference title in the 100 and a runner-up finish in the 200, while sophomore Alexa Brennan was third in the 800 and seventh in the mile in her first conference meet.

“(Emma’s) been a real dominant force for us in the sprints,” Holman said.

CLASS C

Monmouth returns a deep group that won the Mountain Valley Conference title a year ago and finished third at the state meet.

Maddie Amero (javelin), Libby Clement (discus), Abby Hunt (1600, 3200) and Mahala Hayden (300 hurdles) won events at the MVC meet while Moira Burgess, Emily Grandahl and Destiny Clough were all knocking on the door.

A total of 59 boys and girls signed up for track, which is about a third of the school’s enrollment. More than 20 girls return to the team this season.

“It’s got a boatload of promise,” coach Tom Menendez said. “A lot of these girls worked out all year long. If they stay healthy they’re going to make some noise.”

Maranacook finished sixth at the KVAC B meet but fared better at the Class C state meet, finishing third. With a deep team returning, it could improve on those finishes. Nicole D’Angelo finished second at the state meet in the shot put and pole vault while Maddie Taylor placed third in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter run.

“The girls should have strong team results throughout the season with scoring potential in nearly every event,” coach Ronn Gifford said.

Hall-Dale has a group of five seniors who could carry the team a long way. Sabrina Freeman set a school record in the pole vault last year while Maya Freed-Barlow (sprint, jumps), Sierra Millay (sprint, middle distance) and Tess Gioia (middle distance, pole vault) should also contribute. The 4×400 relay team should also be strong.

Winthrop returns a talented group of scorers led by senior Kinli DiBiase, who won the MVC title in the 400 and finished third in the state meet. Sophomore Maya Demming placed second in the 3,200 at the conference meet while Jillian Schmelzer finished second in the 100. Sophomore Aaliyah Wilson-Falcone placed sixth in the long jump and seventh in the 100 at the state meet. The relay teams should be one of the team’s strength.

“We don’t have as many numbers,” coach Ed Van Tassel said. “But from a top-end talent standpoint we should be pretty good.”

Shala Davis (second in KVAC in discus) and Betsy Hunt (sixth in high jump) will lead the way for Mount View, down in Class C after competing in Class B last year.

Alice Cockerham (third in 100 at MVCs last year) and Hailey Fenwick (sixth in discus, fourth in shot put) will be the anchors for Mt. Abram. Senior Emilee Fortier (distance) will lead Madison/Carrabec, which got a surge in numbers this year.