SkyView Academy
SkyView Academy returns six of their seven from last year's state championships squad, which finished fifth. That's more than any other team in front of them.
With Owen Nolan flying high out front, they've got a solid 2-3-4 in Ibrohim Nosirov, Andrew Wolfmueller, and Cooper Phelps. Last year Nosirov and Wolfmueller were their 3-4 runners at state, and they've run PRs of 17:28 and 17:44. Phelps wasn't on the state squad, but he does own a 17:39 PR. Additionally, Phelps only competed in four races last fall.
University
University may have finished ninth at State last year, but they return their entire top five from that day - a feat no other squad in last year's top 10 can say. Six of their seven return, and all are seniors.
A senior-heavy squad means one thing: Let's Go Out With A Bang.
Burke Ewing is their top returner from that day, and he's also their fastest with a 16:43 PR. Nick Thomas also has dipped under 17 minutes, running 16:57. What can give University an edge is that they're got a strong 3-4-5-6. Joaquin Venzor, Joseph Price, Noah Smith, and Brayden Garrott have all run under 17:33.