• FAVORITES: Kentlake, Auburn Riverside.

• OUTLOOK: Kentake looks like the team to beat this season with a strong core of returning state competitors, including Brianne Gould, Lynnsey Thielman and Becca Peterson. Couple that with the addition of senior Kayla Shira, a Level 10 club gymnast competing for her school for the first time, and the Falcons could run the table in the SPSL North. The team has already hit the 170 team score mark this season and could do it again. … Auburn Riverside steps up from the 3A classification, where it took seventh at state last season. The Ravens return junior Rebecca Turnbow, a state competitor who recovered from dual ankle injuries suffered at the district and state meets last season. Mix in returners Kylee Smith and Paige Crawford with newcomer Ali Rodseth, and the Ravens could contend with Kentlake for the team title. … Kentwood will look to returning seniors Becca Daniel and Jamie Larsen and sophomore Alison Wattles to aid its quest for a league title. Senior newcomer Alex Perez also will lend a hand. … Federal Way looks to recover from the loss of nine seniors. The team returns junior Lydia Berger and sophomore Taryn Paschke, and adds newcomer Valerie Pham. … Kent-Meridian returns all-around state competitor Nora Keith, who finished seventh at state in the vault last season. Also back are senior Savannah Diaz and sophomores Kim Concillado and Jenna Crain. … Auburn also jumps up in classification and will be led by sophomore Alexis Moore, who qualified for all four events at state a year ago and was 33rd in the all-around. Senior Amanda Hainer also has state experience. … Tahoma has its deepest squad ever, with 40 gymnasts turning out for the team. Look for state qualifier Hannah Stickney, who competed in the beam, to pace the team.

CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR

Kent-Meridian, Auburn at Auburn Riverside, 7 p.m. Jan. 14: The Royals and Trojans will test their mettle against powerhouse Auburn Riverside.

Kentwood, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian at Kentridge, 7 p.m. Jan. 28: Defending all-city champs Kentlake will look to secure bragging rights for another year.

Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside at Auburn, 7 p.m. Jan. 28: All-city meet will determine who’s top of the heap in Auburn.

— Shawn Skager/The Reporter