Top teams aren't slowing

Two weeks into the Utah prep cross country season, patterns have already begun to emerge as the race for state titles has begun. Year in and year out, some of the same programs that have dominated the sport in recent years look poised to contend as well. The competition heats up this Saturday at the BYU Invitational in Orem.

Here's a brief look at the top returning runners this year:

In 5A, the defending champs are Davis (two consecutive crowns) in boys and Fremont (two straight) in girls. Davis was hit hard by graduation, losing all-state runners Jace Nye, Brad Phippen and Mark Oram. So this year it could be a four- or even five-team race.

The top returner in 5A boys is Jordan junior Jared Bienlien, fifth at state a year ago. Fellow junior Miles Batty gives the Beetdiggers a strong one-two punch but perhaps not enough to hold off Bingham, which comes back with senior Kevin Merriman and junior Austin Brewer. Sophomore Devan Antczak will also help the Miners' efforts to win their first state crown since 1996.

Other contenders will include Davis, led by seniors Thomas Lingard and Aaron Nye; Fremont, paced by seniors Tyler Douglass, Garrett Cox, Kendell Iverson and Marc Ortega; and Weber, which will count on senior Nick Fisher and sophomore Jason Gubler. This could be the most competitive team battle in 5A boys in several seasons.

Fremont, Davis, Bingham and Jordan also appear to be the teams to beat in 5A girls. Bingham's Kit Zeigle and Jordan's Erin Fuller are two of the top runners in this division, along with Lexie Meyer of Fremont, Davis' Lynette Purdy and West Jordan's Carlie Martin. Fremont may be the strongest, while Davis and Bingham are also close.

Individually, top returners also include Northridge senior Stacie Lifferth, Copper Hills junior Lauren Endersen, Fremont sophomore Cassie Ricks, Skyline seniors Alison Taylor and Chaly Clapier, Jordan sophomore Robyn Anderson. Fremont would appear to have the edge at this point of the season.

The 4A titles always seem to travel through Mountain View, winner of six straight boys titles and six girls titles in the past decade. Last year the Bruins won boys but lost to crosstown rival Orem in girls.

Mountain View could get its biggest challenge in boys from Provo this year. The Bruins return seniors Steve Strickland and Jared Keller, and they'll be aided by juniors Justin Leavitt and Chad Horton. Mountain View is currently ranked third in the nation by Harrier Magazine. Provo boasts star power in senior Reagan Frey and sophomore Jared Rohatinsky and will count on senior Steve Cowles as well.