In a race with big state team title implications, Loveland's Kaylee Packham edges ahead of Katie Weber and Haley Brogan. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Jared Blake's times said he was one of the best hurdlers in the state. As of Saturday, there are a few more believers in Colorado Springs. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Mackenzie Howie and Margaret Hurst attack the last hurdle at the Banana Belt Classic. Photo by Alan Versaw. Doherty is one of the teams this year already exceeding expectations. Read on to find what other teams have made the list.

Colorado Springs has been home to a lot of top cross country talent for a long time. Hannah Everson and Bryce Gregoire run in that tradition. Colorado Track XC file photos.

Doherty cross country reaches out in the wake of a tragedy.

  Kaela Edwards was at it again on Saturday, lowering her season-best 800 mark to 2:09.05. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Jake Fox separates from Andrew Goodman and Spencer Wenck, beginning his pursuit of Mike Cernoia. Photo by Alan Versaw.

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.

Double Trouble: There aren't many places to hide when Markesh Woodson and Solyde Bankston take the track together. Photo by Alan Versaw.

In addition to the phenomenal high-end talent returning from last year, Doherty will need help from some lesser-known athletes. Margaret Hurst heads up the list of possibilities. 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.

Anthony Erps of Florence is quietly enjoying a very nice season in both hurdle events. Photo by Alan Versaw.

For the second week in a row, Fountain-Fort Carson's Solyde Bankston took home 100 meter honors for the Trojans. The timing system demons were caught napping this time, so the time counts. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Sam Stratton of Chatfield returns top ranked in the 400 meters for 5A boys. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Colorado has sent a lot of individuals, and a lot of teams, to Foot Locker Nationals and NTN/NXN. More than you might think. Photo by Jeff Bliven.

Chris Zirkle, after finishing fourth at the Chris Severy Invitational, will be counted on to lead a much improved Moffat County team into the championship season. File photo by Alan Versaw.

Cherokee Trail's Michael Tasker is among the top hurdlers in a hurdler-rich classification. Photo by Alan Versaw.  

Fountain-Fort Carson's 4 X 400 team has spent a lot of time running alone already this spring. Will they be able to carry that momentum throught state? Photo by Alan Versaw

At a meet where most competitors were running okay, but not spectacular, times, Joseph DeMoor took the Tri-Peaks League championship with a 15:51.

Lance Knight (Cheyenne Mountain), Tabor Stevens (Canon City), and Erik Williams (Doherty) were the chase pack before Knight broke and nearly caught Jawaro Abdi of Denver South (photo by Mark Weeks).

At 1.3 miles into the race, the trail pack is but a distant blur as Allie McLaughlin races to an 18:18.8, a full 40 seconds ahead of Sarah Schwald's course record set almost 20 years ago.

Allie McLaughlin wasted no time running away from the field en route to a 17:45 time at the Morris Vogel Invitational on Friday (photo courtesy of Mark Weeks).