Distance
1600m
Last year Mitchell Resor (Weddington) held off Jacob Gonzalez (South Johnston) as he ran 4:20 to take the win. This season Gonzalez returns to go for the state title he narrowly missed last season, but we haven't seen him race since January 5th, so there is little indication of what shape he is in. Also there are 18 boys slated to compete and if we don't see a few scratches Gonzalez is likely not to make the fast heat with his 4:39 seed time.
Austin Carroll (Corinth Holders) enters with the best mark of the indoor season at 4:24.43 and looks to be the man to beat on Saturday. His future UNC Charlotte teammate Dylan Shamburger (West Henderson) is the second seed at 4:29 followed by sophomore Brian Risse (North Lincoln). Cross Country 3A State Champion David Melville (Northern Guilford) is in this event and even though he favors the longest distance events, you can't count him out as a strong miler as well.
1000m
Austin Carroll (Corinth Holders) scored his first podium finish last season in the 1000 as he took third and will be the top returner in this event. But Mason Bhatia (Marvin Ridge) will come in as the favorite after running a huge PR at the JDL Dual Challenge of 2:34.32. Bhatia will likely be coming back after a 4x800 with Carroll doubling from the 1600. Cameron Butler (West Rowan) sits as the 3rd seed at 2:37.05 with Marvin Ridge teammates Luke Wolaver and Mack Despard as the 4th and 6th seeds. Thought it might seem like Carroll and Bhatia are the two favorites, I think this is anybodies race for the taking.
3200m
David Melville (Northern Guilford) returns to defend his indoor title after running 9:25 to win last season. Landon Maxwell (East Gaston) has been having a break out indoor campaign after running 9:34.58 at David Oliver, which serves as the fastest mark run on an indoor track this season. Melville's 9:24 seed time comes from David for Doobie in November after cross country season. Melville will be doubling back from the 1600 and Maxwell will enter this race fresh looking to take down Melville who is certainly the one to beat. Haven Honeycutt (Asheville) enters as the third seed and has run 9:42 where he won at the Eastern Challenge. Eighth seed Gable Dershem (Cleveland) has run 9:20 for 3200 meters outdoors and took third in this event last indoor season. Derhsem was 2nd in 3A outdoors and will enter this race fresh looking to win his first individual state title.