They call it the Utah High School Cross Country Championships, but Wednesday's festivities in Sugarhouse Park could in many ways be called regional or even national championships.

That's because the Beehive State is blessed once again this year with some of the best prep cross country talent in the country. And no where will that be more evident than in the premiere finale to the afternoon's competition, when nationally ranked Mountain View and Bingham squads duel for the 5A boys' title.Long before that matchup, team champions in all other divisions will be crowned, beginning with the first race at 11 a.m. for the 1A girls. Runners will traverse across the Sugarhouse course before finishing up on the track at Highland High School.

The 5A boys' race features Mountain View's Ryan Andrus, arguably the best high school runner in the nation, who has yet to be beaten this year. With teammates Allan Boggio, Jess Brereton, Chris Shane, Brian Blackham and Devin Bybee leading the way, the Bruins are the team to beat. Right behind them, and certainly a threat, are the Miners, who've already beaten Mountain View once this year and could look to repeat last year's triumph. Bingham will be led by Nick Evan and Spencer Talley.

"There's no question that Utah has some of the finest programs in the country," stated Miner coach Jeff Arbogast. "I think some of the teams that finish as runners-up could actually win state titles in many other places."

Mountain View's Dave Houle agrees. "It's been phenomenal, really, how strong the programs in Utah are year after year. I know that we are the envy of a lot of other coaches from other areas, not only with the talent we have in Utah, but also with the work ethic of the athletes themselves."

Among the other top individuals in 5A boys are Nick McCombs of Brighton, Trent Hooper of Viewmont and Russell Wilding of Bountiful.

Mountain View is also a lock to win another girls' 5A title, with defending state champ Jandee Hood leading the Bruins' charge. Wendy Allen, Lisa Whiting, Leslie Varney and Kelly Fugal are other Mountain View runners who figure to be in the title hunt, along with American Fork's Lindsey Argyle and Beka Barton.

Favorites in other divisions include Mountain Crest, Timpview, Ben Lomond and Judge in 4A boys, Timpview and East in 4A girls; Wasatch, Park City and Lehi in 3A boys; Lehi in 3A girls; San Juan, Monticello and North Summit in 2A boys; Monticello and San Juan in 2A girls; and in the 1A division, Dugway and Duchesne in boys and Dugway in girls.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

And they're off. . .

Starting times for Wednesday's state high school cross country championships at Sugarhouse Park and Highland High School.

- 1A girls, 11:30 a.m.

- 1A boys, noon

- 2A girls, 12:30 p.m.

- 2A boys, 1 p.m.

- 3A girls, 1:30 p.m.

- 3A boys, 2 p.m.

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- 4A girls, 2:30 p.m.

- 4A boys, 3 p.m.

- 5A girls, 3:30 p.m.

- 5A boys, 4 p.m.

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