Some things--like the domination of the New Mexico boys--played out according to expectations. Other things did not.
In the Division 1 boys contest, it was all New Mexico as Albuquerque Academy (72) and Los Alamos (114) easily outpaced Regis Jesuit (169), the third-place team and top finisher from Colorado. The NM teams were able to dominate even despite a 1-4 finish by the Nicolls brothers, Bobby and Danny, of Regis.
There were a series a less predictable outcomes, however. The most noteworthy of these, though we could debate exactly how surprising it was, was Denver North's Joseph Manilafasha (at left- photo courtesy of Micah Porter) turning in the best time of the day. Manilafasha poured it on in the Divsion 3 race to win in 14:56, 40 seconds ahead of his closest competition in that race and 10 seconds ahead of Bobby Nicolls for the fastest time of the day. For his part, Nicolls edged Gareth Gilna of Los Alamos 15:06 to 15:08 for the Division 1 boys title. 
The Division 2 title went to Dart Schwaderer (celebrating his title, at right--photo courtesy of Micah Porter) of Wheat Ridge in 15:14.
On the girls' side of things, everything came up purple as Miranda Benzel posted the fastest time of the day at 17:41, and the Fort Collins girls were light years ahead of the closest competition in the Division 1 girls race. The Lambkins' team score was completed with Rachel Viger in fifth, Tati Ogan in eighth, Kirsten Follett in ninth, and Lisa Reyna in fifteenth for an impressive total of 38. This race marked the return to competition for Lisa Reyna, the front runner of last year's Fort Collins team. Cherry Creek finished second and Boulder third in the Division 1 race. Natosha Rogers of Dakota Ridge edged Eleanor Fulton of Highlands Ranch 17:50 to 17:51, to win the Division 2 girls race.
While Dakota Ridge and Highlands Ranch had the leaders of the Division 2 race, it was a deep Mullen team the prevailed for the team title. Division 3 titles went to Falcon on the boys side and to Niwot by two points over Evergreen on the girls side. Jen Bremser (at left, photo by Jeff Bliven) won the Division 3 girls race with a solid time of 18:20.8. Alicia Nelson of Moffat County was seven seconds behind in second place.
Division 4 saw the Faith Christian boys toppling a short-handed Colorado Academy team. Joseph DeMoor of Buena Vista and Sam Berggren of Middle Park won the individual titles.