In addition to having the best relays in the state, Loveland also boasts Kaylee Packham's talents in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Pueblo South's Angelique Urenda takes it over the bar at 5-3. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Great relay races are a highlight of almost any track meet, but nowhere more so than at state. Colorado Track XC file photo.

By the second ascent of Powerline Climb, Jordyn Colter had made it clear that it was her race. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Several of the teams on this regional starting line will be back in action this week at state. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Despite a little lead bike misdirection, Kirk Webb recovered for the win at 5A Region 3, followed by Greeley West's Evert Finger. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Jeff Abbey leads the Fort Collins finishers at the Front Range Conference meet just over a week ago. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Kiah Leonard, Mercy Bowen, Betzabeth Garcia, Victoria Milano, and Birdie Hutton stake out an early lead at the Wiggins Invitational. In the end, Hutton would lead them all. Photo by Mario Garcia.

Nevada's Nick Hartle made it to NXN last year and appears to be the Silver State's strongest hope for representation at the national championship again this year. Colorado Track XC file photo.

A lone runner (who may be Evan Fortney--the form looks like his--but I'm not certain about that) negotiates the trails of the Pat Amato Classic on Friday. Photo by Cliff Jurgens.

Monarch's girls and a few bold enough to run with them pass under the shade of an enormous tree at Saturday's Pat Patten Invitational in Boulder. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

It was Jordyn Colter's first win as a Cherry Creek Bruin, but we've stopped counting Danny Carney's meet titles. Photos by Jeff McCoy.

It's still early, very early, but it's time to start looking at which teams are positioning themselves for a bid to the championship races at NXN-SW.

Rikki Gonzales has won a few races before, but probably none as big as the 5A title at the Lori Fitzgerald Invitational. Photo by Alan Versaw

Lindsey Smith's winning effort of 19:10 put Mountain Vista on a collision course with domination. Photo by Pam Smith.  

Colleen Koenig is back as Arapahoe's top returning runners, and there's been a lot of buzz about how good that team will be. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Jesus Herrera and Jen Lehr both had the kind of seasons last fall that make you eager to see what they can accomplish this fall. Colorado Track XC file photos.

Taylor Floming returns to help key another very strong Monarch team this fall. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Lakewood's Jake Jones eyes the flight of his winning throw in the shot put. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

When you're about five miles from Littleton HS, it can be tough to get the 4x400 recognition you deserve, but Arapahoe figures to contend this weekend. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Last year, Andrew Proebstle and his Rifle teammates were competing in 4A. This year, they threaten to take over 3A. Contributed photo.

Following the scent of last year's trail that led to a state title, Clint Myers won the Tri-Peaks League shot put title. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Pole vaulter Josh Holland is just one of the reasons that Arapahoe figures to finish the state meet with an industrial strength point tally. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Sam Berggren draws upon her 400 speed to move past Erin Hooker on the finish straight of the 1600. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

It's never surprising when Littleton has a good team, but this year's squad is definitely among the very best in recent memory. Photo by Alan Versaw.

There won't be anything easy about the 5A girls 100 hurdles this spring, but Stephanie Gerber figure to be one of the last ones standing. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Alex Jordan offers Arapahoe solid potential for points in both hurdles events. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Danny Carney, shown here battling Will Kincaid for the lead late in the 5A state race, will be the top returning finisher in 5A Boys. Photo by Alan Versaw.  

Emily Wolff had a great freshman campaign for Arapahoe. Continued success in her sophomore season will help to keep Arapahoe at or near the top of the pile in 5A girls. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Cheyenne Mountain's boys executed a near-perfect patient pack strategy to dominate the Colorado 4A boys state championship. Photo by Alan Versaw.  

"I'll match your two strides with three of mine." Photo by Alan Versaw.

Kirk Webb leads Monarch's boys to a regional title and into the state meet. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Colleen Koenig's third-place finish helped to lead Arapahoe to the Centennial League title on Thursday. Photo by Alan Versaw.

That look of confidence on Kelsey Lakowske's face isn't necessarily good news for the rest of the 5A field. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Arapahoe (left) got out to a strong start, but Smoky Hill (right) prevailed in the end. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Desmin Ramierez, Alex Pawlak, Gerardo Rodriguez, Nic de Herrera, and Jack Burger mix it up at the front of the pack at Friday's Pat Amato Classic. Photo by Kelli Noto.

It was a Who's Who of Colorado female high school cross country runners at the start of the Pat Patten Invite on Friday. Kelsey Lakowske, second from lett, sneaked away for the win. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Action from this weekend's Glenwood Springs Invitational, where Durango ran away with the girls' title. Photo by Mike Schneiter.

Palmer Ridge's Spencer Wenck ran away from the 4A field on Saturday and posted the top boys' time of opening weekend. Photo by Alan Versaw.

High among the teams to watch for in 5A boys this year is Dakota Ridge. Austin Appel leads the charge. Photo by Alan Versaw.  

Cheyenne Mountain drops the first sub-8 4x800 of the season at the Coronado Cougar Classic. Photo by Alan Versaw.

A strong set of relays, coupled with considerable individual talent, makes Fountain-Fort Carson one of the top contenders for this year's 5A boys state title. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Palmer gets a solid contribution from Reggie Allison in both hurdle events and the triple jump. If the Terrors can get all the pieces producing at the same time, they could make a run at state. Colorado Track XC file photos.

Jenna Adams is well on her way to defending last year's state pole vault title. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Jordan Montera of Pueblo West battles Chad Palmer of Alamosa for position in the final quarter mile. Photo by Eric Flores.

Cherokee Trail, led by Alex Dillenbeck, returns a strong cast this fall. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Last year, the 5A boys classification was Wheat Ridge's show, from start of the season to finish. The juggernaut might have advanced to Portland for NTN nationals had not an unfortunate injury slowed one of their top runners. This year, however, it won't be Wheat Ridge's show. Wheat Ridge has departed to 4A, leaving a pile of hungry teams to compete for the gold trophy. Bobby Nicolls and Evan Appel, above, return as the preseason favorites to win the individual title (all photos courtesy of Ken Regan).