Lake Hoard won an individual title last year, but Epiphany missed the team title by the narrowest of margins, leaving unfinished business.
Three teams with strong packs top the list, but only one of them has a pack that contains four returners under 16 minutes.
There is a long season still ahead of us, but if these two teams finish it up battling for the 4A title, it will be an exciting season.
Chris Kelly is on the verge of individual stardom, signaling that this may be a different kind of Pinecrest team.
Can you imagine how strong Cardinal Gibbons could be if you added a third girl right behind these two? It could happen.
Although less known than his teammate, Nick Linder is one of the best in the state, and key to Providence Day's chances.
Lily Anderson leads a very strong T.C. Roberson team that has top-3 potential in the 4A classification.
Jake Zawada and David Edwards provide two-headed leadership for another strong postseason run by Cardinal Gibbons.
Millbrook might have flown under the radar a bit last fall, but Emily Pettis and the Wildcats are a formidable opponent.
Mihret Coulter has his eyes on becoming one of the top 10 runners in the state, while leading a strong Apex team.
Melanie Hussey is on the verge of individual stardom, and the Marvin Ridge team around her keeps getting better.
Wyatt Maxey plans to back up a strong spring season with high goals in the fall, both individually and for his Providence team.
Mary Prouty may be ready to become a #1 runner, but it is the close pack behind her that will drive Myers Park.
Ian Milder has his eyes on an individual title, and in so doing he helps to boost Mount Tabor's rebound from heavy graduation losses.
CountingLarissa Wood's experience and strength elevate her A.C. Reynolds teammates, but she doesn't have to bear the burden alone.down the top girls' teams in the state, at #8.
Drew Roeber and his Chapel Hill teammates have no plans to discontinue their winning tradition, no matter what the obstacles.
Kayla Montgomery has overcome so much in her career - defeating her opponents and leading her team is no problem for her.
Tom Nobles has the opportunity to develop into one of the state's best and lead Green Hope back to the state meet.
Monica Medrano and the Reagan Raiders hope to continue a tradition of success for this underrrated program.
Get used to this sight: the Weddington Warriors have one of the tightest-packed top 7's of any boys' team in the state.
Lance Bullerwell and Carson Ellerby pace a Leesville Road team that depends heavily on depth and pack-running for success.
Maddy Ringenbach, who should be known state-wide this year, will try to lead Ravenscroft back to the top step of the podium.
Drew Navarro is one of three Millbrook runners with a chance to break 16 minutes, but depth might be a concern.
Megan Sullivan helped lead Broughton to 3rd place in the 4A state meet, but the 3 girls behind her were seniors.
Andrew Fea led North Lincoln to back-to-back 2A state titles, but this year he gets to run in the 3A state meet.
Taylor Hemming made it to the 4A state meet individually; this year, she wants to bring her Leesville Road teammates along.
Ryan Brady was a revelation last fall, and he wants to lead East Chapel Hill back into the top 10 in the 4A state meet.
If you're betting on a big drop-off from one of the state's best programs, you might want to reconsider, no matter what the circumstances.
This season could see a resurgence of the Ardrey Kell boys, who are only 2 years removed from being in the top 5 in 4A.