It's my habit of going back and revisiting the questions posed from before the state meet. Here's how this year's questions turned out...
10. The forecast is kinda warm for Saturday. Will the heat have as much impact on the 2016 state race as the 2014 state race? At least the big hill is out of play as we ponder that question...
The heat definitely played a factor. At least by the third race of the day--and arguably for the second as well--heat was putting a damper on performances. You can conjure up ways to try to deal with it, but heat is always heat. It will have its say, and especially so when the sun is high overhead and the perceived heat is at its greatest intensity.
9. Will the staggered 3A/4A and 2A/5A schedule relieve some issues of congestion--both at the venue itself and in traffic after the event? Will we see unintended consequences to the new arrangement?
If it relieved any congestion after the event, that was news to me as I waited about 30 minutes in traffic. My wait would have been even longer for the section between 8th Street and I-25, but at that point I'm familiar enough with alternate routes around Colorado Springs that I could dodge that particular piece of congestion. I do think it's fair to say, though, that there was slightly less congestion at the venue, though nothing like 50% less congestion. Let's face it, a lot of cross country fans stay the whole day, anyway.
8. How much difference will the new field sizes of 20 teams make in the early flow of the 4A and 5A races? Does this eliminate the logjam at the turnaround east of the Athlete Village? At the very least, we will hope so going in.
The flow of the 4A and 5A races did seem improved over the last several years. 20 is a much better complement of teams for this course.
7. Vanguard, Lyons, or Mancos? Until last week, the question here was mostly just Vanguard vs. Lyons, but Mancos invited themselves to the party with a nice regional effort.
Vanguard, with an exclamation point!
6. Ben Kelley, Jerald Taylor, or somebody else? 2A has had more than their share of the state's top boys talent the last few years. I can't tell you why that is, but it is no less the case for lack of an explanation. The hot hand would seem to belong to Jerald Taylor, but this is State and you don't win State with just a hot hand.
Cody Danley made it interesting for a while, then Jerald Taylor lost interest in keeping it interesting.
5. Does Silver Creek have enough to run down Palmer Ridge? Arguably, Palmer Ridge is the strongest boys team in the state right now. Funny thing, though, they haven't quite yet locked down the 4A Boys championship. It's a tall, tall order for Silver Creek to knock off the Bears, but my guess is the Raptors won't be running for second.
Silver Creek has to be scratching their heads over what happened this time around. The good news is that these guys are back next year with an opportunity to apply what they learned here.
4. Air Academy or Battle Mountain? The consensus all season has been Air Academy, but momentum may have shifted into the Huskies' corner.
As we suspected, momentum had shifted into Battle Mountain's corner in a big way. Even with losing one of their top three runners (take your pick as to position), the Huskies were more than up to the challenge.
3. Who shows up on the starting line for the Mountain Vista boys? And, whoever it is, can Vista Nation hold off Monarch and Rock Canyon?
Mountain Vista put a team on the line that did not include a fully healthy Parker Mackay. If Mackay had been healthy, would he have made the difference? Maybe so, but sport has always been about dealing with injuries. You race with who you can put on the line. Monarch did an outstanding job this season of setting a high bar and chasing their dreams.
2. Can Lauren Gregory get #4? Paul Roberts became a four-time winner (and Colorado's first-ever boy to do it) last season. Can lightning strike again? Brie Oakley is the obvious obstacle to overcome here.
Brie Oakley was not about to be overcome.
1. Broomfield or Mountain Vista? Although this won't be the last time these girls see each other this season, you just know this is enormously important to both teams.
Broomfield, with a beautifully executed race plan, and an enormous race from Ivy Gonzales.