"We just flat out got beat here a year ago. Sometimes you need to lose something to appreciate it, and I think the girls began thinking about winning this year right after they took second last year," he said. Murray junior Nichole Torgersen held off Lone Peak's Katie Bowen for first place with a time of 18:45.4. Torgersen has quickly become one of Utah's top runners, and both she and Bowen finished in front of Mountain View's highly-regarded Heidi Houle and Heidi Magill. Magill competed for just the second time in the past six weeks due to an injury she suffered at the BYU Autumn Classic, yet still finished fourth overall.

Samantha Gaffney of Judge Memorial, only a sophomore, continued to etch her name into the state record books with victory in the 3A girls race. She won by more than 30 seconds over runnerup Holly Simeon of Park City, finishing in 18:50.7. "Samantha ran a great race," coach Dan Quinn said of his talented sophomore. Simeon and her teammates took home the gold trophy with a decisive win over Cedar. It was Park City's second straight state title. The Miners had four finishers in the top 20-besides Simeon were Rosie Brennan in sixth, Devery Karz in eighth and Hillary Wright in 13th.

Richfield took its third consecutive 2A girls title with a 15-point victory over Juab. Kristen Frohlich finished second and Jennica Dalton fourth for the Wildcats. Juan Diego junior Shenandoah Drake won her first state title with a time of 20:36.3. She was second a year ago. Teale Orme of Rowland Hall-St. Mark's was third.

And St. Joseph was the team winner again in 1A, two straight as the Jayhawks continue to be one of Utah's best running programs. Seniors Brittney DeHaan (20:09.5) and Erin Reed (20:34.2) finished one-two for St. Joes. Tai Marett of Duchesne was third. St. Joes finished with 35 points to 42 for second-place Wayne. The last seven 1A girls state titles have gone to one of those two schools.