Area girls cross country teams to watch for the 2012 season:

DECORAH

Coach — Cristy Nimrod

2011 state finish — 5th in Class 3A

Returning state participants (6) — Shana Kelly, sr., 10th; Amanda Taylor, soph., 22nd; Gara Lonning, soph., 32nd; Shelby Varney, sr., 64th; Alica Gullekson, sr., 85th; Brinn Anderson, sr., 100th

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach — Tom Mittman

2011 state finish — 8th in Class 4A

Returning state participants (5) — Courtney Bruns, sr., 26th; Lindsey Bruns, sr., 40th; Erin Danielson, sr., 46th; Allison Siglin, sr., 56th; Ellen Carman, jr., 65th

IOWA CITY REGINA

Coach — Chad Swope

2011 state finish — 2nd in Class 2A

Returning state participants (5) — Molly McCusker, soph., 32nd; Adrianna Kammerer, soph., 33rd; Jacqueline Rapp, soph., 42nd; Sam Milder, soph., 59th; Grace Larew, jr., 63rd

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach — Mike Parker

2011 state finish — 11th in Class 4A

Returning state participants (6) — Molly Leveille, sr., 13th; Pombie Silverman, sr., 17th; Ashlynn Yokom, jr., 37th; Olive Carrollhach, sr., 69th; Ashley Knudson, sr., 101st; Annie Schaeckenbach, sr., 105th

LINN-MAR

Coach — Todd Goodell

2011 state finish — 2nd in Class 4A

Returning state participants (5) — Rachel Perry, jr., 12th; Morgan Uridil, jr., 19th; Maddie Saville, soph., 30th; Caitlin Novak, jr., 63rd; Olivia Miller, sr., 91st

SOLON

Coach — Emy Williams

2011 state finish — 4th in Class 3A

Returning state participants (5) — Lauren Benzing, sr., 2nd; Alex Smith, soph., 12th; Bailey Kelsay, sr., 44th; Mallory Carr, sr., 59th; Tayvia Hansen, jr., 61st