Several state medalists will be back to defend their titles during the Utah high school cross country championships set for Sugar House Park on Wednesday. In fact, most of last year's top runners are in the competition, which begins with 1A girls at 11 a.m. and continues through the 5A boys' race at 4:30 p.m. Races are held every half-hour, alternating between girls' and boys' divisions.

Individually, Viewmont senior Brian McKenna returns in 5A. He held off Jordan's Jared Bienlien last year in a thrilling final, and Bienlien is back as well. Seniors Brett Kotter of Alta, Miles Batty of Jordan and Josh Adams of Davis are also in the race, making up perhaps one of the most competitive individual fields in recent years for the 5A title. Adams has already beaten McKenna once this year, his only loss in the last 14 months. Others to watch include Justin Dickamore of Fremont and Austin Brewer and Devan Antczak of Bingham.

In 4A boys, it should be a battle between Orem's Tim Rowberry and Mountain View's Alden Bahr for medalist honors, although Taylor Gardner of Springville, Orem's Race Ostler and Eric Sabin, and Mountain View's Spence Everson and Justin Leavitt could also figure in the top five. Timpview's James Jensen, Provo's Steve Cowles, American Fork's John Bell, Zach Hallows and Taylor Hansen of Woods Cross, and Murray High's Colton McComb and Dan Willes will also contend for medals.

Defending champ Patrick Smyth of Judge Memorial is the prohibitive favorite in 3A. Smyth has been outstanding again this fall. Teammate Nik Hlady is also back. The biggest challengers will be Ogden's Brett Hales, Alex Way and Tespo Paul Sethunha, Cedar's Jeremy Johnson and Charles Hart, Tanner Chadaz and Wade Hirschi of Bear River, Morgan's Zack Taylor, and Lehi's Daniel Urry.

There will be a new 2A medalist this year, as North Summit's Johnny Rodrigues graduated. Top contenders include Juan Diego's Kyle Jarrett and Danny Crnkovich, Juab's Royce Orme, Chris Bossart of Rowland Hall-St. Mark's, Jordan Snyder of North Summit and Drake Mason of Richfield. In 1A boys, St. Joseph's David Borgeson, and Kenny Eltzroth of Layton Christian Academy are the top contenders, along with St. Joe's Matt Trujillo and Andrew Choffel.

In the team competition, Davis, Jordan and Fremont appear to be the teams to beat, though Bingham is always tough in 5A. The 4A team race looks very interesting, with Mountain View and Orem most likely the top two finishers. Provo will be strong, and Timpanogos and Woods Cross could surprise some teams as well.

Cedar and Judge Memorial are the favorites in 3A boys, both returning three scoring runners from a year ago. Ogden, Lehi and Park City will also figure prominently in the race for gold. Richfield, Juan Diego and defending champ North Summit are the likely leaders in 2A, while St. Joseph, Piute and Bryce Valley, again, should battle for the 1A title.