STATE PREVIEW

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Class A Boys: Columbia Falls returns four of its top five runners from last year's second-place team and has its eyes on the top prize in Saturday's race. Senior Pascal Jessat, who placed ninth at state last year, is hot off a first-place finish at last week's divisionals, followed closely by brothers Shawn Whitman, fourth last year, and Justin Whitman. Derrick Williams and Pascal Jessat round out the top five for the Wildcats.

Last year, Hamilton won as a team with 77 points, but graduated three of its top four runners.

Whitefish is led by junior Nathan Knox, who placed fifth at divisionals, and freshman Jace Kalbfleisch, who took ninth.

Last year's individual winner, Drew Coco, is gone from Whitefish's lineup, which leaves the title up for grabs.

Class A Girls: The two-time defending champion Whitefish girls have already had a few hurdles to clear this season due to injuries and sickness, but Bill Brist's crew appears ready to defend. Divisional champ Bailey Eaton, a junior, has stepped up as Whitefish's top runner all season long and will battle for a top spot at state. Eaton placed 15th last year, but this season has dropped over half a minute off last year's time. Senior Loni Hanson, who won state as a sophomore and placed fifth last season, has also been running personal best times this season. Rounding out the Bulldogs teams is junior Jessica Sagen, who placed fourth at divisionals, junior Carly Schwickert, who placed fifth, and senior Hannah Weaver, seventh. Also joining the title chase is junior Jackie Cassidy, who was a runner-up at state last year but has been injured until recently.

Polson junior Mesa Starkey has placed in the top five at state the past two years, earning third last year, and will make a chase for the top spot. At divisionals, Starkey finished second.

Libby senior Nikola Falk earned sixth at divisionals.