The North Carolina School of Science and Math has a very strong recent history in NCHSAA 1A cross country, including a state title in 2006. And yet, no Science & Math team has ever been as competitive state-wide as this year's edition, and none of the previous teams have been as senior-reliant as this year's squad, either. After their second-place finish to Robbinsville last fall, the juniors on the NCSSM team made huge improvements during track season, and then hit the summer determined to make the most of their final year. The results have been impressive, as the team has been as good as most 3A and 4A squads, and is a legitimate contender for top-10 status in the final All-Classes Top 25 (released next week). The five seniors that lead the team stood togther for an interview at the Carolina 12 Championship meet.