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.

The battle for 5A girls' medalist should be a dandy. Defending champ Kit Zeigle of Bingham is back, but she will face tough competition from Fremont's Cassie Ricks and Alexis Meyer, Davis senior Shaylee Marler, and Erin Fuller of Jordan. But Fremont could also have top five finishers from Katie Chugg and Lindsey Slater.

In 4A girls, defending champ Nichole Torgersen returns but is still coming back from an injury and has shown steady improvement as the season has wound down. Murray's top runner is actually senior Ashley Evans, who will be challenged by Mountain View's Heidi Houle, Erica Martineau and Sarah Yingling; Katie Bowen and Allie Scott of Lone Peak, Trisha Wright of Woods Cross, Kate Harline and Lauren Stratton of Orem, and Timpangos' Vanessa Hawkins.

Samantha Gaffney of Judge Memorial is the favorite in 3A. The junior won this title last year and has been stellar again this fall. Holly Simeon and Rosie Brennan of Park City, Cedar's Celeste Miller and Kindal Ericson; Ogden's McKenzie Cook, Danielle Nestoryak and Tori Arneson; and Ben Lomond's Angeline Sargent and Shanae Russell are among the top medal contenders in this division.

The 2A girls' race should also be close, with Teala Orme of Rowland Hall, Juan Diego's Morgan Clark and Lindsey Nielsen; Shayna Tahy and Catharine Hurst of San Juan, Riverton's Alisa Sheffer, and Juab's Aubree Nielson contending for gold. In 1A, Valley's Lindy Heaton, Wayne's Shanda Durfey and Monique Ellett, Waterford's Liz Calder and St. Joe's Julie Laure are medal contenders.

In team competition, Fremont is a lock to win the 5A girls' title, coming in with a national ranking and one of the best girls' teams in state history. Mountain View, Orem and Provo will battle in 4A, Park City should hold off Cedar, Ogden and Judge Memorial in 3A, San Juan and Juab will contend with defending champ Richfield in 2A, and Wayne will battle St. Joseph's for the 1A crown.

Champions are crowned just a few minutes after the completion of each race, which finish on the track at Highland High School.