Forrest Smith

Luke Duggan raced very well at state last year and returns as 1A's #2 ranked 1600 this spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

If you guessed this young man as the 5A returning runner with the best 3200 time, you are an astute student of Colorado distance. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Paul Roberts, Sophomore, Lyons - 2A Boys Runner of the Year. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Before the race closed up and before the lighting grew harsh. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Ever so briefly, Paul Roberts left the outcome of this race in doubt. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Custer County's Corey Lewenkamp has demonstrated an eagerness to mix it up with the state's top talent all fall. He seeks to reap the rewards of those effort on Saturday. Colorado Track XC file photo.

You can probably pick out Joshua Joseph, Cerake Geberkidane, and Connor Lockwood at the front of 5A Region 1's start from Thursday, but how many more of the harriers present can you put a name to? Photo by Cliff Jurgens.

Anna Fake doesn't look to have a team to carry her to state, but she just might stir some things up in the girls individual race. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Elise Cranny wins the Rocky Mountain Shootout on Saturday. Photo by Rick Wilson.

Greg Eccher paces with Jake Erickson for a few moments before taking over at his home invitational. Photo by Michele Bisbee.

The 3A girls start their season at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede. Photo by Tim Hilt.

Andrew Tiedemann was a surprise as the top Hotchkiss finisher at state last October. This fall, he will be counted on to lead the team. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Forrest Smith and his Crested Butte teammates ran a set of 3200 times this spring that suggest the Titans could be very competitive in the fall. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

This will be the fall that 2A must figure out how to deal with SkyView Academy and Ben Butler. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Jack Plantz was the "other" freshman in 2A last fall, making a name for himself on the western side of the Continental Divide. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Evergreen's Jackson Sayler was very close at the finish of last year's 4A state 800. "Very close" has a way of eating at you clear through the winter. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Last spring, Yuma's Michael Howell was chasing the leaders in the 2A 400. It might be a different story this spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Marcel Such's third-place finish among returning runners was perhaps a bit overshadowed by the first-place finish of teammate Paul Roberts, but is was significant nevertheless. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

While Paul Roberts stole the spotlight, Wiliam Scoggins and Jake Erickson quietly enjoyed spectacular seasons in their own rights. Photos by Paul Jaeger.

Luke Sheesley and Ben Ervin are two stalwarts on a Fort Collins team that has become much better this fall than anyone outside the program expected. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Will 2012 be the year for Natalie Anderson and her Hotchkiss teammates? Colorado Track XC file photo.