The Dolphins are powered by a big senior class that wants to win in 2018.
With six of seven returning and signs of improvement during track season, not to mention a possible breakout star, the Broncos are poised for a strong season.
The Troubadours return a formidable front four from 2017 - but it's the possible returner from 2016 that could put them over the top.
Many programs would be devastated by losing 6 seniors, but the Warriors should be right in the thick of the Division 3 competition again.
With three rising juniors powering them up front, the Diamondbacks have a chance to be better than they were in 2017 - and they were good in 2017.
The Lions return their top 16 runners (!) from 2017, and they had an extremely impressive spring season.
The Broncos lost two key runners, but they have a strong new addition and also have returning #1 Paige Haynes back healthy. Can they repeat the magic of 2017?
Despite the loss of three seniors from the #5 team in Division 3 last fall, the Cougars should be just as strong in 2018 - and may be even better.
With 6 of 7 back from the squad that narrowly missed advancing from the Southern Section D1 race and a very strong spring season, the Sea Hawks are poised for statewide success.
After falling just short of the state meet in 2017, the Mustangs will be highly motivated to get there in 2018 - and they have the leadership and depth to pull it off.
The Cougars lost their #1 runner, but they have a candidate to replace her and plenty of depth to help the team be even stronger in 2018.
The Lancers are young and talented and looking to make it to the state meet this fall.
After struggling through a difficult 2017 season, the Blue Devils are looking to rebound with young talent.
Moving up to D2 didn't dent the Bearcats' state meet plans, and now they have a bunch of talent returning for a run at the top 10.
Despite the loss of a star up front, the Comanches will be returning a strong back based on a proven record of year-to-year improvement.
Can the Apaches return to the program-wide form that made them not only a yearly state meet team, but a regular title challenger? They're closer than some may think.
Losing your #1 runner is always tough to overcome, but recent history indicates the Red Devils will still be a force in D5 this year.
Will this be the year the Cardinal develops into more than just the big fish in the small pond of the San Francisco Section?
When a team doesn't lose any seniors after a very successful season, it's noteworthy. The Bobcats have sometime far more rare going on, and it makes them contenders in D4.
The best returning team in the Central Section may be in Division 3, and they have already proven they can bring their best at the right time in the season.
The Dolphins didn't quite bring everything together last fall, but they have 6 of their top 7 returning for another run at a section title and a chance to make a splash at the state meet.
Overlook the Northern Section favorites at your own peril: this is a team with urgent motivation for success in 2018.
Despite some significant losses, expect Audrey Suarez to power the Cubs back into contention in Division 4 again.
The defending D5 state champs may have won earlier than expected, but that just means they have enough talent back to win a repeat title.
It looks like the Cougar girls, often overlooked in the shadow of their storied boys' team, are set to take the spotlight in 2018.
Can a team that finished 20th in the Southern Section in 2017 be in the top 30 for the whole state in 2018? The Lancers can.
The Pioneers return their entire top five from 2017 and have enough talent to be a force in Division 2.
The competition for the 7 spots that advance out of the Southern Section D1 race will be INTENSE, and something like the extra motivation of a HUGE senior class can make all the difference.
With their entire top 12 returning intact and huge motivation to break through to the state meet, the Mustangs are oh-so-close to being a top 10 team in Division 1.
It's hard for a Division 4 team to make the top 30 in state-wide absolute rankings - but when you're in serious pursuit of back-to-back titles, you belong in the preseason countdown.