With 5 returners back from their 2015 state championship team that finished 3rd at NXN, the potential is there for the Wolfpack to be even better in 2016.
Even though Solomon Fountain was the only non-senior on the Wolfpack's 2015 state championship squad, this team still returns the top 5K and 3 Mile team in the state.
The Apaches return all seven runners from the 3rd-place team in Division 1 last year, including 4 girls that will just be juniors this season.
Can the Bells go from 6th last fall to a podium finish in 2016? Both their returning times and their track results say they can.
With 5 back from the NXN runner-up squad and a strong showing in the 1600 this past spring, the Blue Devils are on track for another great season.
The Dolphins have to replace three star seniors and a legendary coach, but they are still capable of challenging in Division 1.
The Bears already looked very good for this upcoming season with all 7 runners returning - and then track season rolled around, and they looked even better.
The Stallions lost one of the best runners in the state to graduation - and they're on track to be even better as a team than they were in 2015.
Can the Centurions replace three departed seniors and reload for another state title run? All the information we have says yes.
How can a team that narrowly missed the state meet one year become one of the top teams in the state the next year? When that team returns all 7 runners and had a monster track season, like the Mustangs.
The Dolphins' girls are set for a major rebound after a disappointing end to their last cross country season.
The Wildcats are ready to bounce back from the loss of one of the state's greatest runners ever, and this team is capable of defending in D3.
The Wolfpack lost less to graduation than any of the teams that beat them in D2 last November, and their strong spring season indicates improvement.
The Cubs depth was on display in the spring, which means they're ready to reload and preparing to defend their Division 2 title.
The Jackrabbits return 6th from the squad that finished 7th in D1 last year, and their track results indicate a team poised to make a big step forward.
The Warriors have a strong team back from 2015, when they fell only 19 points short of a D2 title. Expect them to be right in the hunt for the championship again!
The Lancers lost three from their 2015 Division 4 championship, but with their potent 1-2 combo up front and a strong history of developing depth, they may still be able to repeat in 2016.
The highest of my "sleeper" picks for this season, the Diablos have every indication of being a state meet team in 2016 after missing out in 2015.
With 6 runners back from their 2015 team and some strong individual improvement during the spring, the Aztecs have championship potential in 2016.
The Wolfpack return a monster senior class, and that means their focus should be on winning a Division 2 title this year.
With a potent returning front 5, the Mariners have the ability to repeat in D3, but depth is a concern.
The Indians missed Alex Hirsch in their last two races of 2015, but they still made the state meet without him, a sign of a deep program.
The key to the Mustangs 2016 season is the development of their 5th-7th runners, who had excellent track seasons.
Can a team that didn't make the state meet aspire to be one of the top 15 programs in the state the next season? The Thunderbirds have enough young talent back to make a run this fall.
Haley Herberg is the real deal, on the course and also on the track. Can she lead the Cougars back into the top 5 in 2016?
With all seven returning from the squad that finished 3rd in Division 4, including 5 that will be back for 2 years, the Bobcats are only getting started.
The torch has been passed from Nicole Zielinski to Sara Leonard, but with a strong supporting cast the Comanches are looking even better in 2016.
With strong returning depth, eye-opening track results, and a clear #1 who can contend, there's a lot to like about Paly's boys in 2016.
The Wolverines have their top 5 back from the squad that won the SDS D2 race, and picking them to make the top 10 at the state meet this year may not be enough.
The Mustangs have strong talent back and a recent history of very strong summer improvement. Will it be enough to make them a contender in D2?