High school cross country: Deep pool of talented runners adds up to a compelling cross country season

By all accounts, 2010 promises to be a banner year for high school cross country in the state of Utah.

At the top, it all starts with American Fork's boys team, which returns five of its varsity runners from a season ago and is currently ranked No. 1 in the country by ESPN Rise.

The Cavemen finished eighth at Nationals last fall, and they've been working feverishly ever since to try and finish even higher this fall.

But it isn't just about them.

Indeed, a number of fantastic individual runners — both male and female — from all over the state are back this fall, and, collectively, they should make this year's cross-country season a thrilling one to watch — to say the least.

"Last year, a lot of the top kids in the state were juniors, (and) they're all seniors this year," said American Fork boys coach Timo Mostert. "That's gonna make this season really exciting. Individually, I think this is gonna be one of the best years Utah's ever had for the number of really top individuals."

With the season just getting under way, here's a look at cross country from 5A to 1A:

5A: Talk of 5A — and the entire state — has to start with American Fork's boys team, which convincingly won this classification last fall with what was a stellar team.

Flash-forward one season, and five of American Fork's varsity runners are back. Austin West, the defending 5A individual champ, headlines the Cavemen's returning talent, and he's joined by fellow stars Clayton Young and Mack Morrison. American Fork has a chance to be one of the best teams in Utah ever, and they'll also attempt to compete for a national championship.

On the girls side, American Fork and Davis are expected to battle for the crown. American Fork's girls team, overshadowed by its male counterpart, promises to be a really good in its own right, and it'll attempt to beat out Davis, which is led by defending 5A girls champ Meghan Hedquist.

Perennial power Bingham promises to have a terrific girls team this year, as well, and should not be underestimated.

4A: Mountain View's cross-country program should be in the thick of the action this fall in 4A.

Mountain View will be battle Pine View and possibly others for the title on the boys side, while Mountain View will battle Ogden and possibly others for the title on the girls side.