WILSONVILLE — The La Grande girls cross-country team picked up all but one first-place vote and lead the Oregon School Activities Association’s coaches’ preseason Class 4A cross-country poll released Wednesday, Aug. 23.

The coaches from around the state are picking La Grande over second-place Philomath and third-place Crook County in the voting. Baker City is also in the top 10 in the voting, coming in at seventh.

The La Grande girls start the season as the reigning Class 4A champions, beating Philomath by 22 points in last season’s state meet. The Tigers return the powerful trio of junior Cecilia Villagomez, senior Emily Tubbs and sophomore Brooke Perry, all top-five individual finishers in last season’s state cross-country meet.

The coaches see the Union/Cove girls as the fourth team in the 3A/2A/1A poll. Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa is the top pick of the poll followed by Oregon Episcopal and Siuslaw.

The Bobcats ended last year with a fourth-place showing in the team standings at the state meet. Junior Josie Patton leads Union/Cove’s team this season with Kaci Baxter back for her senior year and sophomore Taylor Weishar returns for her second year running varsity. The team is rounded out by junior Hailey Davis, sophomore Angel Shields-Marr and senior Jayda Blackburn.