Earlier in the season Puskedra won the Nike Indoor Nationals with a time of 8:49.58, one of the fastest times in U.S. history.

5. Four straight titles

Cottonwood's baseball team chose an interesting path to its fourth straight state title — the one-loss bracket. After winning its first three games in the 4A state tournament last May, No. 1 Cottonwood lost to No. 2 Dixie 10-3 in the semifinals. The Colts regrouped in the one-loss bracket to beat Springville 12-11, and the following day it defeated Dixie twice on the final day of the playoffs to claim a fourth straight title.

6. One for the ages

Twenty-four hours before Lone Peak's boys basketball team easily beat Bingham for its second straight 5A championship, the Knights battled undefeated Davis in the semifinals in one of the greatest playoff games ever. With apologies to Bingham, it was the real 5A state championship game.

With a near capacity crowd in the 12,000-seat Dee Events Center, and the majority of them cheering on nearby Davis High School, Davis and Lone Peak treated the fans to a thrilling game which Lone Peak rallied to eventually win in double overtime 57-55.

Tyler Haws' running jumper with two seconds remaining was the difference as the eventual Mr. Basketball recipient finished with 25 points.

7. What a turnaround

It's not often a team goes from a winless season to the 5A semifinals, but that's exactly what second-year school Syracuse did this past football season.

In their debut season last year the Titans finished with an 0-10 record, and obviously not much was expected of them a year later. Feeding off their underdog status, the Titans placed second in Region 1 this year with an 8-2 record. In the playoffs, it won two straight games advancing to the 5A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Alta.

8. Another for the rafters

The Provo High School gymnasium is running out of room for championship banners with the rate the boys basketball team is winning titles.

Last March Provo edged Bountiful in a thrilling 4A championship game at the Dee Events Center to claim its state-record 17th state championship. It was coach Craig Drury's eighth championship, a state record as well.

With recent titles in 2004, 2007 and 2008, Provo is likely on its way to another title in 2009 with arguably the most talented team in the state regardless of classification.

9. Third times a charm