Liberty returns the third fastest squad in 5A.
The two-time defending state champs Dakota Ridge took a hit with graduation, which opens the door to a slightly different look for 5A.
Mountain Vista - who is in no way unfamiliar to the top of the podium - returns the fastest squad with a 16:01 1-5 average. They are the only squad to return two sub-16 runners. Additionally, their top five have all broken 16:24.
The only team to come close to Mountain Vista on paper is Chaparral, who did not get out of regionals last year.
On paper, they return one of the fastest squads in the State, however.
Chaparral's 16:11 1-5 average is the second-fastest in 5A - by 15 seconds. They return one sub-16 runner, and their top-five have run under 16:33.
And then the team race looks tight (again, based on time).
Liberty and Ralston Valley return squads that own a 16:26 average, and both squads have four runners who'e broken 17 minutes.
Editor's Note: This list does not reflect transfers or incoming freshmen.
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